Hall of Famer Sayers battling dementia
From wire dispatches
When Gale Sayers broke into the NFL with the Bears in 1965, George McCaskey was 9, a wide-eyed and immediate fan of the all-purpose playmaker who was showcasing his Hall of Fame talents then for McCaskey’s grandfather, George Halas.
“I remember if we were ever down by seven, it was always, ‘Come on, Gale. Take that kickoff back,’ ” said McCaskey, the Bears chairman.
“Or, ‘Break that run. Get us back in the game.’ He was one of the most electrifying runners in NFL history. Just every time he got his hands on the ball, you never knew what was going to happen.”
Nowadays, though, it’s not all good for Sayers, whose years-long battle with dementia became public this month. In a story first published by the Kansas City Star, Sayers’ wife, Ardie, detailed his mental deterioration and the strain that has put on the family.
“It was heartbreaking,” McCaskey said. “Gale has been one of the all-time greats. We love him and his family. Bears fans of a certain age remember Gale as an electrifying performer on the field and a gentleman off the field. It’s difficult to see.”
McCaskey twice referenced “Brian’s Song,” the 1971 film that portrayed Sayers’ deep love for fellow Bears running back Brian Piccolo as Piccolo battled cancer. “The story that was told in ‘Brian’s Song,’ I think, speaks well to the measure of the man.”
Sayers’ family believes his condition is connected to the rigors of his football career. Ultimately, McCaskey said, he hopes funding that the Bears and other NFL teams are providing toward cognitive research will be helpful to those dealing with dementia and other related issues.
“And not just for football players,” McCaskey said. “This is a debilitating force in society. I know there’s a lot of research going on at a lot of levels, and we’re hoping we can do some part to get on top of that.”
Raiders
The leader of the Coliseum authority board said it loses money on Raiders games and he has no interest in having the Las Vegas-bound team play in Oakland beyond the 2018 season. The Raiders have legally binding options with the board to play at the Coliseum in 2017 and 2018, but Coliseum authority executive director Scott McKibben said he has no desire to house Mark Davis’ team in 2019. “I would say to you with the highest level of confidence, my recommendation and that of my board members — I don’t believe there is any appetite for a third season [in Oakland],” McKibben said. “It’s actually financially to our benefit if they didn’t exercise the options and play here even in the two years they’ve got [in 2017 and 2018],” added McKibben.
Saints
New Orleans is bringing back tight end John Phillips on a one-year contract. Phillips joined the Saints during Week 10 of last season, when he was claimed off of waivers from the Broncos. Phillips started four of eight games last season with New Orleans, catching five passes for 32 yards.
Rams
Free-agent safety T.J. McDonald, who played four seasons for the Rams, has been suspended for eight games by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The suspension stems from McDonald’s arrest last May after a traffic accident in Los Angeles. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs.
Elsewhere
Fort Lauderdale police are investigating an alleged sexual battery case at a beachside hotel that involves former NFL star Michael Irvin. “He has been named as someone who is being investigated in the case, but he has not been charged with any offense and has not been arrested,” a detective said.