Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back, dies at 77

Gale Sayers, the Chicago Bears' legendary running back, died Wednesday, The Associated Press reports. He was 77. Sayers had been living with dementia, which his wife previously suggested was partially a result of his football career.

On the gridiron, Sayers was considered one the best running backs the NFL has ever seen, particularly when he got out into the open-field. Despite playing just seven seasons in the league because of knee injuries, Sayers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 at just 34 years old. He made the All-Pro team five times, led the league in rushing twice, and averaged five yards-per-carry for his career.

Off the field, Sayers was known for being a great teammate and the friendship he developed with his Bears backfield mate, Brian Piccolo. Sayers, who was Black, and Piccolo, who was white, became roommates after the Bears dropped their policy of segregating players by race for hotel room assignments, and the two forged a bond that was strengthened after Piccolo was diagnosed with cancer. Piccolo died at age 26 in 1970, and their friendship was depicted in the 1971 film, Brian's Song. Read more at The Associated Press and ESPN.

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