On this day in 1943, Gale Eugene Sayers was born in Wichita, Kansas. Nicknamed “The Kansas Comet”, Sayers would go on to become one of the most electrifying players in American football history. A dazzling running back, he played seven seasons in the NFL during the 1960s and early 1970s, all with the Chicago Bears.

Despite a career shortened by injuries, Sayers left an indelible mark on the game. He still holds several records, including:

• Most touchdowns in a rookie season (22 in 1965),

• Most touchdowns in a single game (6, tied with Ernie Nevers and Dub Jones),

• Highest career kickoff return average (30.56 yards),

• Most return touchdowns in a game (2, tied with several players).

Sayers’ explosive agility and unmatched field vision made him a legend—not just of the Bears, but of the entire sport. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977, becoming the youngest player ever to receive that honor at the time.