Tag: Brian Piccolo

Bears announce T.J. Edwards, Darnell Wright recipients of Brian Piccolo Award

Every year, the Bears select a veteran and rookie to honor with the Brian Piccolo Award. This year, it’s T.J. Edwards and Darnell Wright.

Courage. Loyalty. Teamwork. Dedication. A sense of humor. Those are just a few traits that described the late Brian Piccolo.

On Tuesday, the Bears announced linebacker T.J. Edwards and offensive tackle Darnell Wright as this year’s recipients of the Brian Piccolo Award. Each year, the Bears recognize a veteran and a rookie who best exemplify the traits Piccolo displayed during his time with the team.

Edwards finished up his first season in the navy and orange after he signed a three-year deal in free agency, coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles. He quickly became one of the team’s best defenders and formed a solid duo with Tremaine Edmunds, who also came over in free agency.

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In 2023, Edwards led the team with 155 tackles (eight for a loss), totaled 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three interceptions. He was also one of the select players who joined presumptive No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at dinner when he was in town for his top-30 visit.

Wright, meanwhile, was the top draft choice a year ago when he was selected No. 10 overall out of Tennessee. The hulking offensive lineman started as a rookie immediately at right tackle and started every single game. Though he allowed seven sacks on the season, Wright showed plenty of promise and is a building block for this offense going forward.

Piccolo is most known for his relationship with former Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers, and their friendship was the spotlight of the film Brian’s Song, which has left a profound impact on many who have watched it.

Piccolo passed away after embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, had spread to his chest cavity. He was 26 years old. Still, Piccolo’s memory lives on through the stories told and an annual award that honors those traits that defined his character.

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James Caan, who played Brian Piccolo in ‘Brian’s Song,’ dead at 82

James Caan, who played Brian Piccolo in “Brian’s Song,” has died at 82.

For Chicago Bears fans, there’s no movie that quite hits you in the feelings like Brian’s Song, which tells the story of the friendship between Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo.

James Caan, who played Brian Piccolo in the 1971 film, has died at 82. Caan’s official Twitter shared the news on Thursday.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6,” the tweet read.

“The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

Caan is best known for his role as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, where he was nominated as best supporting actor at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes in 1972. But for Bears and sports fans alike, Caan will also be remembered as embodying the late Brian Piccolo.

Caan was big on sharing memories on his Twitter, including last month when he shared a photo of him as Piccolo.

Every year, the Bears give out the Brian Piccolo Award, which honors one veteran and one rookie who best exemplify “the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo.”

Like the man he once portrayed on screen, Caan will certainly be remembered.

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Every Bears player wore Brian Piccolo’s retired No. 41 jersey during practice on 52nd anniversary of his death

We’re not crying. Someone’s definitely cutting onions somewhere.

On this date 52 years ago, former Bears running back Brian Piccolo died of embryonal cell carcinoma — a rare testicular cancer. Because of his extended battle with the terminal disease (which doctors first revealed in November 1969), Piccolo has lived on as a franchise legend ever since.

In the aftermath, ABC produced Brian’s Song in 1971, a TV movie that chronicled Piccolo’s (James Caan) close relationship with Hall of Famer Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), especially as Piccolo fought cancer. Their interracial friendship was considered groundbreaking in American culture at the time in the late 1960s.

Sayers famously said in an award speech given roughly a month before Piccolo’s death, “I love Brian Piccolo, and I’d like all of you to love him, too.” The film documented and used that quote for effect. Sayers passed away in September 2020.

With the anniversary of Piccolo’s death falling on the same day as the 2022 Bears broke for the summer, the organization decided to honor him by having every rostered player wear his retired No. 41 jersey during practice:

Amazing. What a touching moment.

Running back David Montgomery recorded a personal video for Piccolo:

Before the Bears actually conducted their practice, Matt Eberflus spoke about Piccolo’s place in team history and why the organization wanted to honor him once more.

Via the Chicago Bears:

“That to me was really the main message,” Eberflus said. “For people or anybody, you go back so far and it’s hard sometimes for them to see the impact of Brian Piccolo that he had in the late ’60s. He was really a good teammate and he liked to have fun with his teammates. He liked to play practical jokes on them and stuff like that. Just a real man and a real person and a Chicago Bear. So, I wanted to make sure they got that message.”

In an interview about the gesture also on the Bears’ website, Piccolo’s widow, Joy Piccolo O’Connell, could not express enough happiness at honoring her late husband:

“It just blew me away, it really did,” she said. “It means a great deal to all of us. It’s just a very special tribute, it really is.”

Since Piccolo’s death in 1970, the Bears have awarded an annual “Brian Piccolo Award” to a rookie and veteran (starting in 1992) who best exemplifies the “courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication, and sense of humor” of the late running back.

This latest heartwarming tribute seems to be another in a long line of remembrance for a team luminary.

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Chicago Bears pay tribute to Brian Piccolo

The Chicago Bears paid tribute to former running back Brian Piccolo at their minicamp on Thursday.

Brian Piccolo, whose story was the subject of the 1971 TV movie Brian’s Song, passed away on June 16, 1970. During their practice at minicamp Wednesday, the current Chicago Bears paid tribute to Piccolo, with all players taking the field wearing his number 41:

Piccolo played his college football at Wake Forest, but despite leading the nation in rushing and scoring as a senior and earning Player of the Year honors in the ACC, he was undrafted by both the AFL and the NFL. He tried out for the Bears as a free agent and made the team, eventually earning the backup running back spot behind Gale Sayers.

Piccolo would earn a place in the starting lineup during the 1969 season as a fullback, playing in front of Sayers. Late in that season Piccolo started struggling with his endurance and with breathing, and it was discovered that he had embryonal cell carcinoma.

He underwent multiple surgeries, first to remove a tumor and then a second procedure to remove his left lung and pectoral muscle. Unfortunately, the cancer had spread to his liver, and Piccolo passed away on June 16, 1970.

A month before his passing, Sayers accepted the George S. Halas Award as the Most Courageous Player on the Bears. During his remarks, Sayers noted that the wrong person was selected, stating “I love Brian Piccolo, and I’d like all of you to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit your knees to pray, please ask God to love him, too.”

 

Bears players wear No. 41 jerseys to honor Brian Piccolo 52 years after his death

Brian Piccolo died 52 years ago, and Bears players are paying homage by wearing his No. 41 jersey on the final practice of minicamp.

Chicago Bears players are paying homage to the late Brian Piccolo, who died 52 years ago from cancer, by wearing No. 41 jerseys on Thursday’s final mandatory minicamp practice.

Piccolo, who played five years with Chicago, is most known for his relationship with former Bears running back Gale Sayers. Their friendship was the spotlight of the film Brian’s Song, which has left many impacted by the emotional connection felt in the film.

Piccolo passed away in 1970 after embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, had spread to his chest cavity. He was 26 years old. Still, Piccolo’s memory lives on through the stories told and an annual award that honors those traits that defined his character. His No. 41 jersey is retired.

Every year, the Bears give out the Brian Piccolo Award, which honors one veteran and one rookie who best exemplify “the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo.”

This year, defensive end Robert Quinn and running back Khalil Herbert were the recipients of the award.

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Bears name Robert Quinn, Khalil Herbert recipients of Brian Piccolo Award

Every year, the Bears select a veteran and a rookie to honor with the Brian Piccolo Award. This year, it’s Robert Quinn and Khalil Herbert.

Courage. Loyalty. Teamwork. Dedication. A sense of humor. Those are just a few traits that described the late Brian Piccolo.

Every year, the Chicago Bears select a veteran and a rookie that best exemplify those traits to honor the former Bears running back with the Brian Piccolo Award. This year’s recipients are pass rusher Robert Quinn and rookie running back Khalil Herbert.

Quinn is coming off his best season with the Bears, where he set a franchise single-season record with 18.5 sacks. He tallied 12 sacks in the final eight games, recording at least a half sack in 14 of 16 games. Quinn was voted to the Pro Bowl and named second-team All-Pro.

“It’s definitely an honor to be nominated for this,” Quinn said, via ChicagoBears.com, “so thank you to the McCaskey and Piccolo families and my teammates for voting for me.”

Herbert, a sixth-round rookie, impressed during his short stint in a starting role in place of an injured David Montgomery. From Weeks 5-8, Herbert rushed for 344 yards, never rushing for less than 72 yards during that span. He also proved his effectiveness as a kickoff returner.

“I’m honored to receive this award,” Herbert said. “I just want to say thank you to the McCaskey family, the Piccolo family and the Bears organization for allowing me to be a part of this rich tradition. Embodying loyalty, teamwork and dedication is something I always strive for on and off the field, so I’m honored to receive this award.

“I also want to thank my teammates for voting for me to be the rookie that receives this award. I will continue embodying these characteristics on and off the field and hope to make everybody proud in this room and my family back home.”

Piccolo is most known for his relationship with former Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers, and their friendship was the spotlight of the film Brian’s Song, which has left a profound impact on many who have watched it.

Piccolo passed away after embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, had spread to his chest cavity. He was 26 years old. Still, Piccolo’s memory lives on through the stories told and an annual award that honors those traits that defined his character.

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James Caan remembers Gale Sayers, Brian Piccolo, ‘Brian’s Song’

Actor James Caan says he gets emotional every time he watches “Brian’s Song,” the legendary movie.

The 1971 telemovie “Brian’s Song” came to the forefront again last week with the death of Chicago Bears legendary running back Gale Sayers.

The Boston Globe’s Tara Sullivan reached out to actor James Caan, who played the role of Brian Piccolo in the movie that chronicled the friendship between the Bears’ running backs and the tragic death of Piccolo, who suffered from cancer.

Caan said he still cries when he watches the movie, almost 50 years later.

“He was a blessing to the planet Earth,” Caan told the Globe about Sayers, who died after a years-long battle with dementia. “Everybody cries when they see it. I cry every time I see it.

“I grew up with really strong relationships and my friends were real friends and still are. Friends were the only things we had, and their relationship was pretty genuine, and pretty great.

One fascinating note: Billy Dee Williams almost did not have the role of Sayers in the movie. It was originally cast for Louis Gossett Jr, The actor tore his Achilles before filming and Williams was given the role and the rest is history.

To read the entire piece, click here.

 

Bears name David Montgomery and Nick Williams recipients of Brian Piccolo Award

On the 50th anniversary of Brian Piccolo’s death, the Bears named David Montgomery and Nick Williams the recipients of the award.

It’s been 50 years since Brian Piccolo passed away and on Tuesday, the Chicago Bears announced running back David Montgomery and defensive tackle Nick Williams as the winners for the prestigious Brian Piccolo Award.

Since the death of Piccolo on June 26, 1970, the Bears have given the honor to a Bears rookie, then in 1992, the Bears expanded the award to include a veteran. The award is voted upon by teammates and is given to the players that “best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication, and sense of humor of Brian Piccolo.”

The award is usually presented before the NFL Draft, but the coronavirus pandemic led the Bears to postpone the announcement until today. Both Montgomery and Williams issues statements on receiving the award.

“It’s a blessing to receive the Piccolo Award,” Montgomery said, via ChicagoBears.com. “I’d like to thank the Bears organization, the Piccolo family, and my teammates for making this possible. Being linked to Brian Piccolo and his legacy with the Bears is very humbling. Anytime your teammates or peers vote for you for anything, it’s a huge honor. Being a running back for the Bears with the rich history at that position makes this especially unique and I’m just very grateful.”

Montgomery had a productive rookie season where he had 242 carries, rushed for 889 yards and six touchdowns then caught 25 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown. Williams, who signed with the Detroit Lions to a two-year, $10 million deal, stepped up for the Bears in 2019 when Akiem Hicks battled injures. Williams would lead the Bears defensive linemen with 42 tackles, six sacks and five tackles-for-loss.

“When I found out I was receiving the Brian Piccolo Award, it was a huge honor,” Williams said. “It exemplifies teamwork, courage, loyalty, dedication, and just a sense of humor. Having a sense of humor is something that stuck with me throughout the locker room. I’ve always cracked jokes with guys and tried to look on the bright side of things. When things may not have been going our way, I tried to lift them up, especially the defensive line room. I think being a locker room guy exemplifies the award and it’s a huge honor for me to even join this list of guys. Even one of the most recent winners, Akiem Hicks, one of my good friends. I know what type of player and teammate he was. It’s just a huge honor.”

Part of today’s announcement with the award winners was that the Bears would be launching the “All Four One” campaign to benefit the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. Since 1970, the research fund “has committed more than $8.3 million to the development of improved diagnostic tools and more effective treatments.”

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It’s been 50 years since Brian Piccolo passed away

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who succumbed to cancer in 1970.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, who succumbed to cancer in 1970.

Piccolo is best known for his friendship with Bears Hall-of-Fame running back Gale Sayers, which was highlighted in the film Brian’s Song that debuted on Nov. 30, 1971, starring Billy Dee Williams and James Caan.

Following Sayers’ season-ending knee injury in 1968, Piccolo worked with Sayers to rehab his knee, and that’s where their friendship flourished. Sayers came back to lead the NFL in rushing 1,032 yards and eight touchdowns.

As highlighted in Brian’s Song, which has brought countless people to tears, Sayers gave a heartfelt speech just three weeks before Piccolo’s death to accept the George S. Halas Award as the NFL’s most courageous player. Sayers took that time to honor Piccolo’s strength and courage.

“You flatter me by giving me this award,” Sayers said. “But I tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the award. It is mine tonight. It is Brian Piccolo’s tomorrow.

“I love Brian Piccolo, and I’d like all of you to love him. When you hit your knees to pray tonight, please ask God to love him, too.

“He has the mental attitude that makes me proud to have a friend who spells out the word ‘courage’ 24 hours a day every day of his life.”

Every year, the Bears give out the Brian Piccolo Award, which honors one veteran and one rookie who “best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo.”

Last year, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebacker Roquan Smith were the recipients of the award.

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50 years ago, Gale Sayers paid stirring tribute to Brian Piccolo

Fifty years ago, Gale Sayers delivered an emotional speech about fellow Chicago Bears RB Brian Piccolo

Fifty years ago on May 25, 1970, Gale Sayers accepted the George S. Halas Award at a dinner in New York City. His speech was emotional and left the 600 in attendance awed.

Gale Sayers, the great running back, spoke from the heart about his friend and fellow Bears RB Brian Piccolo.

 Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Sayers was a first-round pick out of Kansas. Piccolo was an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest. The two struck up an unlikely friendship. Piccolo died at age 26 from embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, first diagnosed after it had spread to his chest cavity.

The video below is from “Brian’s Song,” one of the great sports movies of all-time that premiered on ABC. The speech is re-enacted by actor Billy Dee Williams, who played Sayers in the movie. James Caan played Brian Piccolo.

The trailer for the 1971 movie: