KU News Release

Football icon Gale Sayers to sign copies of his new book March 1 at KU

LAWRENCE – University of Kansas football legend Gale Sayers will sign copies of his new book “Sayers: My Life and Times” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Oread Books in the Kansas Union. The event is free and open to the public.

The author will donate 100 percent of royalties from sales of the book to the Gale Sayers Center, a not-for-profit organization in Mount Prospect, Ill., that provides, at no cost, an accelerated after-school learning environment for children ages 8-12. KU Bookstores will also contribute a portion of each sale of the book that day.

Triumph Books published “Sayers: My Life and Times,” written with Chicago Tribune columnist Fred Mitchell, in October. This candid and reflective memoir, illustrated with personal photos, chronicles the career and philosophy of a true sports icon. Sayers, the “Kansas Comet,” was a two-time All-American halfback at KU. He was then selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1965 draft and later became the youngest man ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at age 34.

The story of Sayers’ friendship with former Bears teammate Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer in 1970, was the subject of his earlier book “I Am Third” and immortalized in the 1971 film “Brian’s Song.” The loss of Piccolo helped Sayers put his life in perspective. His enduring message to young athletes is to respect the game, give back to the community and prepare for the future.

After leaving football, Sayers returned to KU to complete his bachelor’s degree in physical education and served as assistant athletics director. He later was assistant director of the Williams Education Fund at KU and earned a master’s degree in educational administration. Sayers was athletic director at Southern Illinois University from 1976 to 1981, then founded a sports marketing and public relations firm as well as a technology services business. He is involved in many charitable organizations.

The KU Bookstore is located on the KU campus in Lawrence on the second floor of the Kansas Union. As a not-for-profit organization in the division of Student Success, all proceeds are given back to KU through student programs and activities.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.