Gale Sayers, "The Kansas Comet", is the best NFL athlete to ever wear the uniform number 40. Sayers was taken with the fourth overall pick by the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL draft. Interestingly, Dick Butkus was taken by the Bears with the third overall pick in the same draft, with a selection the Bears acquired from the Steelers.
Sayers lived up to his nickname in his rookie season with the Bears, scoring 22 total touchdowns in 1965 (14 rushing, 6 receiving, 1 punt return and 1 kickoff return). His second season as a Bear was almost as phenomenal as his fist. In 1966 Sayers led the NFL in rushing with 1,231 yards, and 8 rushing touchdowns. He had 1,678 yards from scrimmage in 1966.
Sayers career was cut short by knee injuries, and he was able to display his exceptional talent for five full seasons in the NFL.
- 4 time Pro Bowler (1965, 1966, 1967 and 1969)
- 5 time All Pro (1965 to 1969)
- 3 time Pro Bowl MVP
- 4,956 career regular season rushing yards
- 1,307 career regular season receiving yards
- 48 career regular season touchdowns from scrimmage
- 2 career punt return touchdowns and 6 career kickoff return touchdowns
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1977
Did you know........Gale Sayers' uniform number 40 has been retired by the Chicago Bears?
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