Gayle Sayers “The Kansas Comet”

Chicago Bears - Running Back/Kick Returner 1965-1971

“Just give me 18 inches of daylight,” was Gayle’s famous line from a 1966 NFL Films promotional production and highlight reel following his Rookie of the Year campaign. Gayle Sayers was, in my researched opinion, still to this day, the most explosive player to ever have played in the National Football League. His bursts of speed, now only preserved through the magic of old NFL films highlight reels, demonstrates an almost super-human separation from the other mortals gracing the field. On returns, once the ball had fallen into his hands, Gayle’s first few steps would render near defenders mere blurs of irrelevance. He played only 7 seasons in the NFL, his career cut-short by a (now repairable) ACL tear knee injury - and yet he was elected to 6 All-Pro Teams, 5 Pro-Bowls, Rookie of the Year (‘65) and Comeback Player of the Year (‘69)… and for all who watched him play through-out the sixties, at Kansas, and into the seventies in Chicago, Gayle left an indelible impression that has not faded in all the years since.

Graphite on Paper - 2019