charges of discrimination across the nation. Sayers and Piccolo were devoted friends and deeply respectful of and affectionate with each other. Piccolo helped Sayers through rehabilitation after injury, and Sayers was by Piccolo’s side throughout his illness until his death in June 1970.
Sayers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 at age 34, and remains the youngest person to have received the honor. He was named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team as a halfback and kick returner, the only player to occupy two positions on the team. For his achievements in college, Sayers was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame the same year. His jersey number (40/48, respectively) is retired by both the Bears and the University of Kansas. Following his NFL career, Sayers began a career in sports administration and business.
Sayers went on to become a stockbroker, sports administrator, businessman and philanthropist for several inner-city Chicago youth initiatives. He was always seen giving back in some way. He also served as athletic director at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale from 1976 to 1981. and founded several technology and consulting businesses.
Later on in life, Sayers battled with dementia which ultimately began the decline of his health until his death.
When giving Sayers’ Hall of Fame induction speech in July of 1977, a legend in his own right, George Halas, said the following about Sayers: “If you wish to see perfection as a running back, you had best get a hold of a film of Gale Sayers. He was poetry in motion. His like will never be seen again.”