Statement by Gale Sayers on National Sports Committee

    President 
Hon. Francis E. Rivers 

PRESS RELEASE Director-Counsel 
egal efense und Jack Greenberg 

Director, Public Relation 
NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC. Jeus Devers Je. 
10 Columbus Circle, New York, N.Y. 10019 * JUdson 6-8397 NIGHT NUMBER 212-749-8487 

« 

MONDAY 

5 

January 23, 1967 

STATEMENT by Gale Sayers* at the press luncheon announcing the formation 

of the 
NATIONAL SPORTS COMMITTEE 

in support of 
THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND 

January 23, 1967: Gallagher's Steak House, New York City 

About three months ago, Buddy Young called me to say that I would soon 

be approached and asked to serve as a co-chairman of a committee of pro- 

fessional athletes who were joining together to help raise money for the 

Legal Defense Fund. Buddy called in advance to express his feeling that 

this was important, that such an effort was unprecedented, and to urge me 

to give serious consideration to the request when it came. 

I know full well that Buddy knew it would be difficult for me to say 

no to a request from him, What he didn't know, however, and he might be 

learning it right now for the first time, is that in a sense, I already 

owe the Legal Defense Fund something. 

I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, relatively shielded from the normal 

problems which face Negroes in many parts of the nation. Civil rights and 

outright discrimination were really not part of my life. I entered Kansas 

University on a scholarship after being actively encouraged to attend 

K.U. by school officials and alumni of the University. 

It was during this period in my life that I discovered that one could 

be a good student and athlete but that limitations were automatically 

imposed because of the color of my skin. Negro students could get housing 

only in certain places--usually more expensive or less desirable than for 

other students. We could not belong to most of the fraternities. 

In response to these and other more subtle problems, I joined with 

more than, a hundred of my fellow students, Negro and white, in a sit-in 

demonstration which resulted in our arrest. 

we 



(j/o 

ete 

Shortly afterwards, we were released on bail through the efforts of the if 

local NAACP branch. The successful legal action which followed in our 

defense was provided without cost to any of us by the Legal Defense Fund, 

At that point, it never occurred to me that at some later date I 

would be presented with the opportunity to "pay my bill," so to speak. y 

There is another set of factors involved which I want to mention 

briefly: 

My professional football career with the Chicago Bears has allowed 

me opportunities which most people can only dream about. If there was 

any possibility that this good life has lessened the awareness of me and 

my family about the problems which still face Negroes daily, let me say 

that the violence which racked my present home town of Chicago during 

the past summer and the riots which erupted in my former home town of 

Omaha reminded me of some basic realities. 

Professional sports have provided more opportunity for young Negroes 

than perhaps any other commercial @ndeavor since the pioneering days of 

Jackie Robinson--who, incidentally, is a member of our Committee of 

Sponsors--and I believe that most of us will welcome the opportunity to 

give our time, talents, and money to support the work of the Legal Defense 

Fund. 

May I make.one final request. I sincerely gope that you men who so 

effectively report to the nation our performances on the athletic field wiil 

also report this activity on our part. Professional athletes are in a 

unique position to influence the attitudes of the public, particularly 

the young. 

* Note: Mr. Sayers serves as a national co-chairman of the Committee, 
with Bill Russell and Bill White,