NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers will travel to Chicago for a special Bears100 celebration -- despite suffering from "severe dementia," this according to his wife.
The 76-year-old legend was diagnosed roughly 5 years ago, Ardie Sayers told The Athletic ... but his condition has gotten drastically worse over time.
Sayers had spent time living in an assisted living facility -- but that didn't work out ... so now he's back at home with his 83-year-old wife.
Ardie says Gale struggles with speech and movement ... and no longer signs autographs because he can't write.