They Call Him Gale* Poem by Maurice Harris

To quote the man himself, upon his retirement:
'When I walked off the field, I knew it was over, and I never looked back.'
It was surely his body, it was not that his desire went!
'God said: 'Gale, it is time to do something else' '-only He could sack
Such talent prematurely-games numbering only 68;
Speed, power, and grace that none other could hope to imitate.
The youngest player ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame-
At the tender age of 34-it was incontrivertible, Gale had game!

'It was a gift, and trust me it was easy. So easy I can't explain it.'
Obvious too was the inescapable conclusion that none could contain it.
They called him The Icon, or simply, Brian's best friend.
He was both a talent and a presence, with which few may contend.
His talents were such that all inevitably draw compare-
No answer presented, but to stop and humbly stare!

*quotes attibutable to Gale Sayers

-Maurice Harris,21 September 2010