GALE SAYERS - EPHEMERA SIGNED - HFSID 288535

GALE SAYERS
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. At the time of his retirement he was the NFL's all-time leader in kickoff returns. He won All-NFL honors five straight years and was named Offensive Player of the Game in three of the four Pro Bowls in which he played. Minor surface scratches on helmet. Otherwise, fine condition.