Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers has died at the age of 77. Sayers made his mark as one of the NFL’s best all-purpose running backs and was later celebrated for his enduring friendship with a Bears teammate with cancer.
His friendship with Brian Piccolo was depicted in the 1971 film “Brian’s Song” that marked him as more than a sports star.
Relatives of Sayers say he had been diagnosed with dementia. His wife said she partly blamed his football career.