Chicago Bears draft: Top picks in franchise history

Gale Sayers, RB, 1965 1st Round (#4 overall)

After drafting Butkus with their third pick, the Chicago Bears hit the jackpot again by drafting Gale Sayers out of Kansas.

Sayers also had his career cut short by a knee injury. He was in the league for seven seasons but played in only four-and-a-half. Boy, how much greater would this man’s career been had it not been for that injury! He might still own the rushing record. He was named to five Pro Bowls and was named the Offensive MVP in three of those games.

In his rookie season, Sayers edged out his teammate Butkus for Rookie of the Year honors. He rushed for a record 22 touchdowns, including a record-tying record of SIX in one game against the San Francisco 49ers. In addition to the touchdowns, he had 2,271 combined yards from scrimmage. Remember, back then they played fourteen games, not the sixteen they play today.

The Chicago Bears hoped Sayers could replace a great running back they had, Willie Galimore. Gallimore got into a car accident the summer before and was killed.

Every time I see anything about Gale Sayers, I cannot help but feel sadness. When he talks about what could have been, he holds back the tears. One can just imagine his greatness, as he made it to the Hall of Fame in 1977, in his first year of eligibility, even with the small number of games played.

One thing to note on the 1965 draft. Even though the Chicago Bears drafted two iconic NFL players, they never went to the playoffs. Between 1964 and 1983, they did not make the postseason. It goes to show you that even when you hit a double jackpot in the draft, it does not guarantee you success.

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