Gale Sayers Dies at 77

Gale Sayers, the NFL legend and quick Chicago Bear, died early on Wednesday at his home in Wakarusa, Ind, the team and the NFL announced.

Gale Sayers' stepson, Guy Bullard, said that the cause of his death  was complications of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

In March 2017, his family revealed that Sayers suffered from dementia after he had publicly displayed symptoms of it for four years.

Sayers joins a growing list of football players who developed dementia and died of brain damage.

Sayers was a fearsome competitor and regarded as one of the greatest running backs to ever carry a football with attitude that everyone admired.

"Just give me 18 inches of daylight. That's all I need," Sayers famously declared.

The player's time in the NFL was short due to a series of knee and ankle injuries, playing from 1965-71. His legend continued to grow despite a devastating injury to his right knee that shrunk his 1968 season.

One year later, he bounced back to play in 14 games and lead the NFL in rushing, with more than 1,000 yards. He put up those numbers despite playing on a woeful Bears team that went 1-13.

"Gale was an electrifying and elusive runner who thrilled fans every time he touched the ball. He earned his place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

"We will also forever remember Gale for his inspiration and kindness," Goodell added. "Gale's quiet unassuming demeanor belied his determination, competitiveness and compassion."

Many people showed remorse over his death, one of them was actor Billy Dee Williams, who played Sayers in ‘Brian's Song’ alongside James Caan;

"My heart is broken over the loss of my dear friend, Gale Sayers." It was an honor, he said, to portray him.