Gale Sayers is an American former professional football player….who earned acclaim both as a halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). In a brief but highly productive NFL career, Sayers spent seven seasons with the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1971….as multiple injuries effectively limited him to five seasons of play. He was known for his elusiveness and agility, and was regarded by his peers as one of the most difficult players to tackle. Nicknamed the “Kansas Comet“, Sayers played college football for the University of Kansas Jayhawks football team….where he compiled 4,020 all-purpose yards over three seasons….and was twice recognized as a consensus All-American. In his rookie NFL season, he set a league record by scoring 22 touchdowns….which included a record-tying six in one game….while gaining 2,272 all-purpose yards en route to being named the NFL’s Rookie of the Year….as he continued this production through his first five seasons….while earning four Pro Bowl appearances and five first-team All-Pro selections.
O J Simpson attended the University of Southern California (USC)….where he played football for the USC Trojans….and won the Heisman Trophy in 1968. He played professionally as a running back in the NFL for 11 seasons…..while primarily with the Buffalo Bills from 1969 to 1977…..as he also played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1978 to 1979. In 1973, he became the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season…..and he holds the record for the single season yards-per-game average….which still stands at 143.1…..when he was the only player to ever rush for over 2,000 yards in the 14-game regular season NFL format.
Jim Brown is an American former professional football player and actor…..who was a running back for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) from 1957 through 1965…..and is considered to be one of the greatest football players of all time….as Brown was a Pro Bowl invitee every season he was in the league….and was recognized as the AP NFL Most Valuable Player three times….plus, winning an NFL championship with the Browns in 1964. He led the league in rushing yards in eight out of his nine seasons….and by the time he retired, he had shattered most major rushing records. In 2002, he was named by The Sporting News as the greatest professional football player ever.
