By Tim Tassa — Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — In an auditorium filled with sports fans young and old, it took Gale Sayers less than a minute to elicit a round of applause from an attentive audience during Saturday's 44th Apple Blossom Festival Sports Breakfast at the Moose Lodge Banquet Room.

"I've been out of football for over 35 years, and I thought all my fans were dead," joked Sayers, an NFL Hall of Fame running back for the Chicago Bears from 1965-71 and the festival's co-sports marshal.

Continuing to flash humor and humility in a speech that reflected a very memorable playing career, Sayers noted an event in Chicago three years ago when he spoke to a high school football team.

Upon learning of Sayers' imminent arrival, a boy on the team asked, "Who's she?" Sayers recounted — a story that sparked laughs from everyone listening.

However, by the handful of breakfast patrons sporting replica Sayers jerseys it was clear that his name was well-known and widely revered. The celebrity panel also included co-sports marshal and gymnast Nadia Comaneci, power lifter Sterling Grooms, and New England Patriots wide receiver Kelley Washington.

Former WUSA-TV sports anchor Ken Mease was the host.

Sayers spoke about opportunity and decision making, using the term "open field" to portray his message.

"It's a lesson that you need to prepare yourself for more than athletics," said Sayers of his speech's focus.

"A lot of kids think they're going to play professional sports, and it's not going to happen. Less than one percent of people ever get a chance to play professional football, basketball and baseball."

Sayers, an entrepreneur who owns a computer company, restated the difficulty for athletes of finding a post-retirement career.

"Football was my life, but football hadn't exactly prepared me for a career in the business world," said Sayers, a five-time NFL all-pro who gained 4,956 yards and averaged five yards per carry for the Bears.

"Don't get me wrong, I loved being a football player. I wouldn't trade the Sunday afternoons for anything in this world."

Sayers spoke about five people who supported him and inspired him throughout his football and post-retirement careers: Buddy Young, Dick Butkus, Brian Piccolo, George Halas and Dr. Theodore Fox.

Of Halas, a former Bears coach, Sayers said, "If Halas told me to go to hell, I'd be in a hurry to get started."

Of Butkus, a Hall of Fame linebacker, he said, "You haven't lived until you've been rammed by Dick Butkus."

"I've said many, many times Dick Butkus has hit me as hard in a scrimmage than I've ever been hit in a game."

Sayers spoke last at the gathering, following words from Grooms, a Special Olympic gold medalist; Washington, a Sherando graduate and special teams standout for the Super Bowl runner-up Patriots, and Comaneci a five-time Olympic gold medalist.

Grooms, who won golds in the bench press, squat and dead lift events at the 2007 world games in Shanghai, China, spoke about the acceptance, love and recognition of his efforts as the most important aspect of his competing. He detailed his power-lifting journey, which began 16 years ago.

"Even though every athlete has his or her own story, we are all part of one big family," said Grooms, who has Down syndrome and resides in Winchester.

He added, "My idol was Arnold Schwarzenegger, and I was determined to be a power lifter just like him."

Washington, speaking at his fifth sports breakfast, highlighted his experience at February's Super Bowl against the New York Giants. He preached a message of "wanting it more" and working hard to succeed in athletics.

"I just wanted to do it more, do it better," Washington said of his path to becoming a professional.

And speaking third was Comaneci, arguably the greatest female gymnast of all time. She is noted for being the first female gymnast on the uneven bars to record a perfect 10, a feat she accomplished in the 1976 games in Montreal.

Comaneci spoke of her success throughout her career, including the 1980 Moscow games, where she added a gold medal.

"It's great to have a dream," said Comaneci, who began gymnastics at the age of six.

"I think the important thing is to have goals everyday and accomplish them."

* Contact Tim Tassa at ttassa@nvdaily.com

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