Golden Helmet award presentation plaque, signed by Sayers on the golden helmet
Ephemera signed:
"Gale Sayers" 20x12. Wooden base containing an engraved plaque
honoring Sayers with the Golden Helmet Award, bearing the NFL logo and presented by the
Coca Cola Company. On the right side of the base is a golden half-helmet, plastic, signed by
Sayers in black sharpie.
Hall of Famer Sayers (1943-2020), called "the Kansas comet" for
his college play at KU,
starred in seven seasons with the Chicago Bears. For his first
entire season, Gale scored 22 touchdowns and 132 points, both then-rookie records.
Quiet, unassuming, and always ready to compliment a teammate for a key block, Sayers
continued to sizzle in 1967 and well into the 1968 season. Then, in the ninth game, Sayers
suffered a knee injury that required immediate surgery. After a tortuous rehabilitation program,
Gale came back in 1969 in a most spectacular manner, winding up with his second
1,000-yard rushing season and universal Comeback of the Year honors. But injuries
continued to take their toll and, just before the 1972 season, Gale finally had to call it quits.
In
his relatively short career, he compiled a record that can never be forgotten. His totals
show 9,435 combined net yards, 4,956 yards rushing, and 336 points scored.
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