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Lot # 1222: Gale Sayers Enshrinement Speech Presented and Signed by George Halas (PSA)

Category: Football

Starting Bid: $400.00

Bids: 3 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Classic 2022",
which ran from 5/20/2022 7:00 PM to
6/11/2022 10:00 PM



Presented is the July 30,1977 enshrinement speech written by George Halas for the induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton Ohio, of Gale Sayers. The speech is typed in extra-large print on three 8.5" x 11" pages. On the top of the first page is a handwritten note written by Halas with his handwritten initials at the bottom of the brief note. In 1920, in Canton, Ohio, Halas was one of the co-founders of the American Professional Football Association, which in 1922 became the National Football League. Halas was a two-way end on the Chicago Bears, and he was the team's owner and 4-time head coach. In his presentation speech, Halas described Sayers great talent and Halas also referred to Sayer's important friendship with Brian Piccolo, another Chicago Bear running back. Piccolo was battling cancer, and his friendship with Sayers was the basis of the TV movie Brian's Song. In his presenter's speech, Halas said, in part, "Now, may I take a few minutes to tell you about your fellow enshrinee who not only helped make our dreams come true, but who captured my heart..... Gale Sayers...Magic in motion. Gale's greatest performance was not on the football field. After his serious injury in 1968, Gale came back in 1969 to lead the NFL in rushing with over a thousand yards. For this remarkable feat he received the award as the most courageous player at the New York Football Writers dinner. When Gale was presented the trophy, he said, 'Tonight, this trophy is mine - -Tomorrow it will be Brian's.' The next day, he gave the trophy to Brian Piccolo - his friend. With a captured heart that burns with love, I proudly present for induction into the Hall of Fame, Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears." The speech also has written, in an unknown hand, "His like will never be seen again." The speech has a few very small partial tears near the edges, and some mild toning. It comes with a PSA LOA. Overall, the speech is in good condition and it is a fine memento of Hall of Famer George Halas, "Papa Bear", a co-founder of the league, giving a wonderful Hall of Fame presentation speech about the great Chicago Bear running back, Gale Sayers. PSA LOA.

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