What was Gale Sayers' Net Worth?
Gale Sayers was an American Hall of Fame professional football player who had a net worth of $50 million at the time of his death. Gale Sayers is widely regarded as one of the best running backs of all time.
After his career was cut short due to injuries, Gale was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977 even though he had only played seven NFL seasons. The "Kansas Comet" was known for his agility and elusiveness and said to be one of the most difficult players to tackle.
Early Life
Gale Eugene Sayers was born on May 30, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He played football and competed on the track team while at Omaha Central High School, setting a long jump state record. He went on to play college football at the University of Kansas, where he was a two-time consensus All-American in 1963 and 1964 and three-time All-Big Eight selection from 1962 through 1964. The Kansas Jayhawks retired his No. 48 jersey, and he is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
NFL Career
The Chicago Bears drafted him in 1965, and he went on to play for the team for the next six years. While with the Bears, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, a five-time AP First-Team All-Pro selection, a three-time Pro Bowl MVP, a two-time NFL rushing champion, and both UPI NFL Rookie of the Year, and UPI NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Sayers led the league in rushing in 1966 and 1969. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977, and the Chicago Bears retired his No. 40.
Gale Sayers finished his career with 4,956 rushing yards for a 5.0 average per carry to go along with 39 rushing touchdowns, and 1,307 receiving yards on 112 receptions with nine more touchdowns. He added 3,172 return yards and eight return touchdowns.
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Business Career
After leaving the NFL, Gale worked in the athletic department at the University of Kansas – his alma mater. In 1976, he became the athletic director at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
In 1984, he founded Crest Computer Supply Company. The company was eventually renamed Sayers 40, Inc. Over time, the company morphed into a highly successful technology consulting firm. It has been described as the largest minority-owned information technology services firm in the U.S. The company serves many Fortune 1000 companies and eventually hit a peak annual revenue of $300 million.
Personal Life
Gale's younger brother, Ron, played running back for the San Diego Chargers of the AFL. His older brother, Roger, was a decorated track and field athlete.
His book, "I Am Third," inspired the movie, "Brian's Song." Sayers wrote the book after being inspired by his friendship with Bears teammate Brian Piccolo who died of cancer in 1970.
It was revealed in March of 2017 by Sayers' wife, Ardythe, that Gale had been diagnosed with dementia four years prior to his death. She stated that a doctor confirmed it was likely caused by playing football. He was physically healthy otherwise, but the disease had an adverse effect on his mental health and memory. After suffering from the disease for years, Gale Sayers passed away on September 23, 2020, at the age of 77.
