This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Gale Sayers proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that when it comes to greatness, quality can be more important than quantity. Actually, Sayers packed a ton of quantity into a mere seven pro seasons and 68 games with the Bears before his career was cut short by injuries. But one can only wonder with awe what dizzying numbers he would have left behind had he stayed healthy. As it is, Sayers will forever be remembered for his physics-defying moves, the whole gamut of which he displayed in one record-setting day in 1965 when he ran for six TDs against the 49ers. A Sayers rush was a picture of incredible acceleration and uncanny balance that allowed him to turn on a dime and take an outside run inside, or vice versa, before squirting into the open field. What's more, the off-field Sayers was also a superstar, as shown by his special bond with teammate Brian Piccolo A two-time All-America at Kansas, Sayers came to the Bears in 1965 and scored 22 TDs, then a league record and still a rookie record. Named Rookie of the Year, he went on to lead the NFL in rushing twice until a severe knee injury in 1970 made him mortal and another ended his career in 1971. In total, he had 6,213 rushing yards and 56 TDs with a five-yard per-rush average, and set seven league records (including being the league's all-time kick returner.) In 1977, at age 34, he became the youngest player elected to the Hall of Fame. This Bears home mesh jersey, worn by Sayers during the early part of 1971 and before he retired, has on the left front tail the "Wilson" label and size "46". On the back is a blue mesh nameplate with "Sayers." The player number "40" is on the front, back and on each sleeve, with the letters and numbers made of white on orange tackle twill. This jersey, belonging to one of the game's towering legends, shows game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind.