Death of Gale Sayers

"I grew up worshiping this great man as an amazing athlete and, more importantly, great man. I am now 60 years old and will fondly recall how great the NFL used to be when its ambassadors had the talent, class, and character that Mr Sayers possessed and expressed. Rest in Peace, Gale . Know that the legend lives forever and enjoy your time with God... you earned it..."

"Dear Sayers Family Rory and I would luv to extend our condolences's on the loss of Gale Sayers.may he rest in peace and he'll surely be missed very much.best faith/rory"

"We visited for an hour at his office in Allen Field House at KU. He then signed it with his left hand "To Bill Martin, Best Wishes, Gale Sayers, HOF-77". I've got it on my wall.

June 14, 2010

To: Gale Sayers
From: Bill Martin

I grew up in a farm house near to Mazon, Illinois. It is a tiny town about 75 miles south of Chicago on Highway 47. I was able to go to Soldier Field one time a year to see the Bears games; I was also able to watch every other game on TV.

I always especially enjoyed watching you play your Bears games---since my father had grown up in Morris County, Kansas. He played baseball for KU and he graduated in 1952.

I finished high school in 1973 and I came to KU due to the track & field team.

During my freshman indoor year you were doing work for KU; I remember your office was on the east side of the Allen Filed House.

One time I stopped your office, and talked to you about me being from near Chicago, and enjoyed you playing for the Bears.

I had school paper with me-and you wrote down:

To Bill Martin
Gale Sayers

I lost it several years later and I always wished I still had it around.

Last Saturday---I was at this 100th year celebration for the Education degree I finished in 1977. I saw the enclosed #22 and purchased it-as I still remember these past days.

Is it possible for you to take this apart, and sign the KU photo of you in the same way?

Bill Martin
(785) 620-7505 (cell)
[email protected]

P.S. If you can, I´ll take it back, and have it put back together.

University of Kansas
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Certifies That
The Person Named Below
Has Earned His Letter In
VARSITY COMPETITION
K
3462 Outdoor Track
William Martin 1977"

"Thank you for your inspiring career of Character, Love and Loyalty. Your Presence with Brian is a sure thing and although I don't know exactly how, I know you will play on the same team again. Blessings on Both if You.
My relationship is an admirer as a Character Coach for the Shenango Highschool Football Team in Lawrence County Pa I was inspired by the aforementioned attributes."

"Great man great football player"

" My husband, a volunteer youth football coach, and I were fortunate to have met Gale at a football camp for kids in Vermont in 1972. We would eat in the dining hall with the coaches and players and as good fortunate has it, we became good friends with Gale throughout that week and the friendship continued for decades.

The four of us (Gale, Ardie, Dick and I) planned trips together, as well as visiting each other's cities (Boston and Chicago for holiday get togethers and fundraisers, (The Cradle Foundation, one of the many charities Gale and Ardie supported.

Gale was fun, philosophical, pragmatic, and had an inquisitive mind. We would talk about race, religion, politics, and charities in our circles together. One of the highlights was going to Houston for the rodeo (Gale loved this challenging and dangerous sport). Another was picking peppers in a field at the McInney tobasco farm in Lousiana. We each had separate quarters at a plantation. Gale and Ardie chose to stay in a cabin called, 'Slave Quarters'. Gale embraced all people of color. He was a proud black man who knew his history. He and Ardie collected African art and and Afro American art, embracing their heritage to share with others.

Gale loved golf and when golfing in Mexico, Ardie and I came across a family member of one of Gale's quarterbacks. Ardie and I conspired to have Rudy Bukich and Gale to have a "surprise" meeting at a local restaurant. Both had fallen out of touch over the years and perhaps it was quite a coincidence to meet his fellow team, living in Mexico with his wife and family.

Finally, Gale and Ardie visited Maine at our children's camp in 1978. Sadly, there are no photos of the week they spent with us that can be found. Gale played capture the flag with us and relays with the kids and staff. He won the July 4th egg toss. No surprise there, Dick Courtiss (now deceased) was his partner.

Rest in peace Gale. Thanks for the many memories the four of us shared."