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There's no place like home on the hill
Before he was an NFL star, Gale Sayers was a standout in the Big Eight Conference.
Before he rushed for 4,956 yards in pro football, he ran for 2,675 yards in college.
But most importantly, before Gale Sayers was a Chicago Bear, he was a Kansas Jayhawk.
"The Kansas Comet" is remembered as one of the best players to ever play football at the University of Kansas. He was twice selected as a first team All-American before going on to have a short but prolific Hall of Fame NFL career.
With the basketball success that Kansas has had for so long, it can be easy to forget about all of the gridiron greats who have played at Memorial Stadium.
Several great players have played football in Lawrence over the years. Running back John Riggins played in the NFL for 14 years after playing at Kansas and became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. Cornerback Agib Talib, one of Kansas' most recent greats, is now enjoying significant playing time for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jayhawks have definitely made their mark on pro football over the years, but they have also never forgotten where they played during college. Sayers was recently named the director of fundraising for special projects at Kansas Athletics and will be honored as the Grand Marshal for Saturday's homecoming parade.
Talib showed up in Tampa last year to watch the Jayhawks take on South Florida. Former quarterback John Hadi is now an associate athletic director for the University.
Each of these former athletes accomplished great things during their college careers. But all of them must have really enjoyed the rest of their time on Mount Oread as well. All of them still follow Kansas athletics, just like thousands of other fans across the country.
When athletes come to Kansas, they not only get a great sports experience, but they get a great college experience as well. School spirit at Kansas is rivaled by few other colleges in the country, and the city of Lawrence does a great job of supporting its students.
A lot of traditions that surround Kansas football sometimes get taken for granted. Watching the game from the hill, waving the wheat after every touchdown, and tailgating by the stadium are just a few of the
traditions that help make game day complete.
Other traditions have come into play in recent years that have added to Jayhawk football. Whether it is watching the pregame video or occasionally tossing a goalpost into Potter Lake, it's all part of the experience.
A lot of things have changed since many of the Kansas greats played at Memorial Stadium. But a lot of things have stayed the same.
There was no better choice to be this year's Grand Marshal for the homecoming festivities than Gale Sayers. After NFL success and other ventures, Sayers is returning to where he initially burst into the national spotlight.
Hundreds of Kansas alumni will be at tomorrow's homecoming game to cheer on the Jayhawks, just like they did when they attended the school years ago.
Kansas alumni know they can still get a great experience by coming back to a football game. And all of them, just like Sayers, realize how lucky they are to be part of the family.
Alumni can still count on seeing thousands of students show up to cheer on the Jayhawks, no matter how good of a season the team is having.
Jon Goering/KANSAN
Fomrer Kansas running back Gale Sayers poses for a picture in Memorial Stadium. Sayers is the Grand Marshal for this year's homecoming festivities.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE OCTOBER 9,2009