History Moments Sports-Sayers/Gibson/Briscoe

Nebraska is known for producing great athletes, but three Omahans sealed their place in history as trailblazers. Bob Gibson attended Creighton University on a basketball scholarship but also played baseball-the sport he would become famous for. After one year playing basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters, Gibson went on to pitch 17 seasons at the St. Louis Cardinals. Gibson was pitcher of the year in 1968, the year deemed "Year of the Pitcher." After that year, the pitching mound was lowered and the strike zone made more compact, rules often referred to as the "Gibson Rules." Marlin Briscoe attended Omaha University. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 14th round where he played defensive back until the quarterback was hurt and the backup struggled. During his rookie season he stepped into the quarterback role and became the first African American to start at the position in the American Football League. From there he went to the Bills as a wide receiver and earned two super bowl rings with the Miami Dolphins. A graduate of Omaha Central, Gale Sayers was a half back and return specialist for the Kansas Jayhawks and Chicago Bears. He and Brian Piccolo, his backup, became the first black and white men to room together in the NFL, and their friendship inspired the move "Brian's Song." Sayers remains the youngest person ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, at age 34. His number is retired at Kansas and Chicago.