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The Greatest Games in Bears History, Vol. 1: 12/12/65- Sayers Scores Six TD
The Greatest Games in Bears History, Vol. 1: December 12, 1965-
Gale Sayers Ties an NFL Mark with Six Touchdowns vs. the San Francisco 49ers
(Gale Sayers’ 22 touchdowns in 1965 is still the NFL rookie record. Source: ESPN.com, espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016460.html)
On a frigid, soggy Sunday afternoon, the twelfth of December, 1965, the Chicago Bears, those black and blue “Monsters of the Midway”, gathered at venerable Wrigley Field on the north side of the “City of Big Shoulders” to clash with the San Francisco 49ers in a battle between two NFL Western Conference rivals. While neither team stood a chance at catching the runaway Green Bay Packers in the conference standings, there was always pride at stake. And did ever one of Chicago’s football sons produce theatrics such as what fans would see on this day, for it was then that the rookie Gale Sayers, quickly building upon a reputation for greatness and a resume for notoriety sprinkled in with a dash of scorn and derision among defenders around the league, scored six touchdowns, tying the record previously achieved by Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals (1929) and Dub Jones of the Cleveland Browns (1951). (Source: History.com, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nfl-rookie-gale-sayers-ties-single-td-record)
What fans forget about the great Sayers, though, was that his penchant for the dramatic was a thing of lore long before his life’s journey took him to the gridiron of Wrigley Field. A record-setting track star in the long jump at 24-10 ½ as a collegian at his alma mater, Sayers became a legend as a two-time All-American for the University of Kansas Jayhawks football program, attending the school because he liked head coach Jack Mitchell and it was close to home. While at Kansas, he rushed for 2,675 yards, including setting the NCAA record for the longest run from scrimmage, 99 yards against Nebraska in 1963. (Source: ESPN.com, see above picture caption for URL on the source)
Sayers was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFL and the Bears in the NFL (fourth overall pick, immediately after Chicago selected another All-American, linebacker Dick Butkus) in the 1965 league drafts. Despite Chiefs’ owner Lamar Hunt offering him more money to sign with Kansas City, Sayers chose the Bears, even though he described their counter-offer as “$4.95 and a carton of Cokes.” (Source: ESPN.com)
In his fifth game, Sayers scored four touchdowns in a 45-37 Bears victory over the Minnesota Vikings. However, that was merely a precursor for a much greater accomplishment that lied ahead, for on that bone chilling, wet Sunday afternoon of December 12th, 1965 in Chicago, the rookie scored six touchdowns versus the San Francisco 49ers by plodding through the muddy trenches, equaling the mark by the previously-mentioned Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals in 1929 and later tied by the Cleveland Browns’ Dub Jones in 1951. He scored in a variety of ways: one on an 80-yard screen pass from quarterback Rudy Bukich, four on runs of 21, 7, 50, and 1 yards, and yet another on an 85-yard punt return. In all, Sayers accounted for 336 yards -- 113 rushing, 89 on pass receptions, and 134 on punt returns. In the first quarter of the second 49ers affair of the season, Sayers scored on the 80 yard screen pass to open up Chicago’s scoring, with the two point conversion from Bukich failing. Mike Ditka caught a 29 yard touchdown pass from Bukich, who would also throw a third touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to Jim Jones that was good for 8 yards. Jon Arnett also rushed for a 2 yard score in the fourth quarter. Roger LeClerc was the place kicker of record for the Bears. For San Francisco, John Brodie threw two touchdown passes to Dave Parks and former Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow in the second quarter, with Tommy Davis, the 49er place kicker, failing to convert the extra point, during which time in between Sayers rushed 21 yards for a touchdown, followed by two more rushing touchdowns for Sayers in the third quarter of 50 and 1 yards. Dave Kopay ran in for a two yard score from 2 yards out in the fourth quarter for the 49ers, followed Bukich’s third touchdown pass of the day to Jim Jones. Sayers would score the last of his six touchdowns on an 85 yard punt return, and halfback Jon Arnett would barrel in for a 2 yard score to cap the scoring at the final 61-20 tally. For the 49ers, all extra points were converted except for the one on the Crow touchdown drive. The win delivered on the Bears’ vow to avenge the humbling loss sustained at the hands of those same 49ers, in which San Francisco crushed the Bears 52-24 on opening day, September 19th. (Source: ESPN.com; Pro-Football-Reference.com, www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1965.htm)
To summarize one of the greatest rookie seasons in football history, one needs to look at the following stats to summarize “The Kansas Comet”: Sayers accumulated 2,272 yards rushing, receiving, and returning kickoffs and punts. In 1966, he ran for a career-high 1,231 yards in the 14-game season, winning the rushing title. He would win his second rushing title in 1969 with a total of 1,032 yards a year removed from a serious right knee injury whereby he suffered torn ligaments. For his efforts in returning to football, he was awarded the George Halas Award as “the most courageous player in professional football.” He dedicated his newly-won award to his friend and teammate, Brian Piccolo, who was dying of cancer. He would stretch a ligament in his left knee during an exhibition game in 1970 and would never fully recover, ultimately leading to his retirement from the game. For his career, he gained 6,213 total yards from scrimmage both rushing and receiving and scored a total of 56 touchdowns, including eight on kickoff and punt returns. Sayers averaged 5.0 yards a run on his 991 carries (for 4,956 yards), and had set seven NFL records and 23 team marks. The story of his friendship with teammate Brian Piccolo was immortalized in the 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song,” starring James Caan as Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams as Sayers. He would go on to serve the University of Kansas athletic department as assistant athletic director before moving onto the University of Southern Illinois as athletic director, and he started up a business in Chicago called Crest Computer Supply Company. The company became a success, posting sales of $55.2 million in 1994. He remains active in the community. (Source: ESPN.com)
With his athletic prowess came its rewards: Sayers was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Kansas Hall of Fame, and the Black Athlete’s Hall of Fame. To top all of these accolades was his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977 at the age of 34, the youngest man ever so honored. (Sources: ESPN.com, History.com)
On being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Sayers said, “I had a career that was very short, but it had a lot of thrills. This tops them all.”
Last edited by Dagan81; 10-15-2012 at 11:18 PM.
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Gale Sayers will always be seen as one of the greatest and most elusive runners in the history of the NFL. In his prime he was a pure joy to watch carrying a football. "Poetry in Motion", just like the song says. I love watching his highlight reels and that game was one of the best. Not even the mud and the cold could stop him.
The Bears have been blessed to have some pretty incredible offensive players over the year. Unfortunately few were QBs or WRs after the 50s but we have had some great RBs like Sayers, Walter, Neal Anderson, and now Matt Forte. That's the Chicago Bears legacy. RBs, LBs, and DLineman.
You know when you compare what Sayers accomplished as a return man, because in those days teams didn't have dedicated return specialists like they do today, to what Devin Hester has accomplished as a two way player as well you get an idea of just how special Hester is too.
One of the greatest RBs to ever play the game returned 8 kickoffs and punts for TDs in his 6 year career. Devin Hester has returned 19 kicks, punts and a missed FG for TDs in the first six year of his career and he's not done yet.
We've been lucky in our lifetimes to have seen in person, TV, or on film two of the greatest open field runners of all time play for the Bears. I think that's kind of special too.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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You know, the closest running back I think I have seen to what Sayers must have been like in his hey day was Barry Sanders. That guy was elusive, could make cuts, and seemed to get faster the further down field he ran. I don't know what kind of a receiver Barry Sanders was, but I dare say that he has to be the closest thing modern pro football has seen to Gale Sayers -- that is, if you don't consider football in the 1960s to be modern.
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The sad thing about Sayer's career was that he had knee surgery in an age where it was very primitive by today's standards. Today, Sayers would have had a chance to continue as an elite RB after surgery. Back then it was not much more than hack surgery that players like Sayers would never truly come back from. He did have 1000+ yards after the surgery, but he was a mere shadow of his former self.
Sad.
Brian Urlacher
Thanks For The Memories
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 
You know, the closest running back I think I have seen to what Sayers must have been like in his hey day was Barry Sanders. That guy was elusive, could make cuts, and seemed to get faster the further down field he ran. I don't know what kind of a receiver Barry Sanders was, but I dare say that he has to be the closest thing modern pro football has seen to Gale Sayers -- that is, if you don't consider football in the 1960s to be modern.
Different running styles though both were incredible runners.
Barry Sanders was a like a jack rabbit starting and stopping and darting away from tacklers. I remember seeing Mike Singletary take three shots at him on one run in the backfield and missed all three times. How many time did that ever happen in Mike's career? It was really hard to bottle Sanders up and almost never could you get him with just one guy.
Gale Sayers ran like a deer. He just glided up the field changing direction at full speed and flowing between tacklers. Guys would draw a bead on him and then all of a sudden he wouldn't be there. It was like he just disappeared. They didn't call him "Magic" because he could do card tricks. He's one of the most graceful runners I've ever watched.
The other guy who was as close to being another Gale Sayers as I've ever seen was the guy who preceded him, Willie Galimore. He was similar in size, speed and running style to Sayers but died in an auto accident during training camp before the 1964 season. He and Rick Casares were a great backfield combo for the Bears in the late 50s and early 60s.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
JustAnotherBearsFan99 The sad thing about Sayer's career was that he had knee surgery in an age where it was very primitive by today's standards. Today, Sayers would have had a chance to continue as an elite RB after surgery. Back then it was not much more than hack surgery that players like Sayers would never truly come back from. He did have 1000+ yards after the surgery, but he was a mere shadow of his former self.
Sad.
Exactly. Had Sayers played even 20 years later he would have come back from that first surgery almost as good as new. That injury robbed him of both his break away speed and his incredible ability to cut at full speed.
He was no longer the open field threat he was before and needed to gain weight and strength to do more of his running between the tackles because he'd lost that burst to get outside as often. Where he'd been averaging well over yards 5 per carry in the years before he was injured he averaged just 4.4 yards per carry the year after.
The guys is still the most thrilling open field runner I've ever seen.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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I've missed so much in the way of the great Bears players over my life, particularly in my early youth before I understood anything about football. The earliest age I really watched football was when I was eight years old, when I started watching Tennessee play football. They had a player who had one great year and part of another season where he was arguably the Vols' version of Barry Sanders. His name was Chuck Webb. He rushed for 1,200 yards his freshman year and only started about six games. He set the Tennessee single game rushing mark at 294 yards vs. Ole Miss that season (1989). He rushed for 250 yards in the Cotton Bowl against Arkansas.
What amazes me about guys like Sanders and Sayers is that it usually took more than one person to take them down, or at least that's the way soul said it about Sanders. Walter Payton was many things in a superlative way, but he didn't possess the gifts that those two backs had, and that's okay. He did more with the talent God gave him than just about any other back in the history of the NFL did/has done. Walter Payton was a Grabowski -- he had good, but not great, speed; he had to labor a bit to get to where he was going. And again, that is okay. Despite what Sanders and Sayers accomplished in their great careers, I'll take Payton's longevity and clutch play any day of the week.
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Walter was the best all around RB to ever play the game and maybe the best all around football player to ever play the game. Not only could he run with the ball and catch but few ever saw saw him punt or pass a football the way he could. The guy was just a tremendous pure football player period. He could have been an All Pro defensive back too if they'd played him there.
But Walter never had the speed or the open field elusiveness of a Sanders or a Sayers. Walter punished people when he ran. He ran like a 225-230lb back in a 200lb RB's body. How the guy ever lasted as long as he did is a tribute to both his mental and physical conditioning. He never quit on a run in his entire career and he was virtually indestructible. Neither Sanders or Sayers had his power or his blocking ability.
Walter was "one of a kind" just like Sanders and Sayer were. All three were great RBs but all three also had vastly different styles and skill sets.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Payton was pure class as a person. You were always proud that he represented the Chicago Bears with class. His last season, even the hated Packer fans gave him props. Opponents recognized he was a special person, and not just a special player.
Walter was also the guy who kept the team loose, by being a practical joker too. I love that pic of him pulling Matt Suhey's pants down. Classic Payton.
I never saw him behave like a jerk in a game. He was a fierce competitor (I've never witnessed a man more focused at winning), but he treated his teammates and opponents with respect.
Mike Ditka was at the coffee shop talking with our athletes one day a couple of years ago when I walked in. I stuck around to hear him talk with the student athletes and one asked him about Walter. He told the guy that Walter may not have been the best running back he'd ever seen, but he was definitely the best athlete he'd ever seen. I think that is accurate. He was a great receiver, blocker, running back & passer (he passed for a number of TD's and actually played QB one game when he had to for us).
I wish athletes like Jay Cutler would learn from the classier guys like Walter. Behaving like a jerk doesn't help any situation. It just makes you look like a small person. You may accomplish much as a player (like a T.O.) but leave a legacy of being remembered as a talented jerk.
Last edited by JustAnotherBearsFan99; 10-17-2012 at 05:42 PM.
Brian Urlacher
Thanks For The Memories
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