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Gale Sayers cemented his legacy as a prominent figure in professional football and later transitioned into successful careers in sports administration and business consultancy.
Gale Sayers founded Crest Computer Supply Company in the Chicago area in 1984, which later became Sayers 40, Inc. This technology consulting and implementation firm serves Fortune 1000 companies nationally. His professional reputation and focus on customer relationships contributed to the company's success.
In 1983, Gale Sayers acquired an interest in Chezik-Sayers Honda, a new Honda dealership in Iowa City, Iowa. The dealership grew to include franchises for various automotive brands under the names Chezik-Sayers Honda and Chezik-Bell Imports.
Sayers' company, Sayers, is noted to have a long-term partnership with St. Jude Children's Hospital, involving fundraising efforts and continued support.
Sayers' legacy and association with the Chicago Bears made him a valuable partner for brands looking to tap into the nostalgia and loyalty of fans. His image has been used in various contexts, including fashion lines celebrating Chicago's cultural significance.
Gale Eugene Sayers was born on May 30, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. His father worked as a mechanic for Goodyear, farmed, and was employed by car dealerships. Sayers attended Omaha Central High School, where he distinguished himself in both football and track and field, setting a state long jump record in 1961. He went on to play college football for the Kansas Jayhawks at the University of Kansas, where he accumulated 4,020 all-purpose yards over three seasons and was twice recognized as a consensus All-American in 1963 and 1964. Sayers’ collegiate career was marked by notable achievements, including leading the Big Eight Conference with 1,125 rushing yards in 1962 and setting an NCAA Division I FBS record with a 99-yard run in 1963.
Sayers was drafted by both the Chicago Bears of the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL in 1965. Choosing the Bears, his rookie NFL season was remarkable, setting a league record with 22 touchdowns—14 rushing, six receiving, and one each on punt and kickoff returns. He also gained 2,272 all-purpose yards, an NFL rookie record. In a single game on December 12, he tied an NFL record by scoring six touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers. Sayers continued his stellar performance, leading the league in rushing with 1,231 yards in 1966 and setting an NFL all-purpose yards record of 2,440. His career, though shortened by injuries, included four Pro Bowl appearances and five first-team All-Pro selections, and he remains the youngest inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at age 34.
Following his football career, Sayers ventured into sports administration and business. He served as the athletic director for Southern Illinois University Carbondale from 1976 to 1981 and as interim athletic director at Tennessee State University from 1985 to 1986. In 1983, he became involved with Chezik-Sayers Honda, a successful automotive dealership. Sayers also founded Crest Computer Supply Company in 1984, which later became Sayers 40, Inc., a technology consulting firm. Beyond business, he was a philanthropist, supporting organizations like the Cradle Foundation and establishing the Gale Sayers Center, an after-school program for children. His friendship with teammate Brian Piccolo, detailed in his autobiography ‘I Am Third’ and adapted into the film ‘Brian’s Song,’ further solidified his public image. Sayers was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
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