Tag: Brian Piccolo Award

Bears name Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney recipients of 2020 Piccolo Award

Every year, the Bears select a veteran and a rookie to honor with the Brian Piccolo Award, and it’s Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney.

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

Every year, the Bears select a veteran and a rookie that best exemplify those traits to honor with the Brian Piccolo Award. This year’s recipients are wide receivers Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney.

Robinson and Mooney were two of the most exciting aspects of an otherwise underwhelming Bears offense last season. Mooney, a fifth-round rookie out of Tulane, exploded onto the scene, where he quickly climbed his way into the No. 2 wideout roll behind Robinson.

Robinson posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons — with questionable quarterback play. Chicago was able to retain Robinson through at least 2021 by using the franchise tag on him, where the hope is the two sides can finally lock down a long-term extension.

Piccolo is most known for his relationship with former Bears running back Gale Sayers, and their friendship was the spotlight of the film Brian’s Song, which has left many that watch it sobbing from the emotional connection felt in the film.

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.

[listicle id=471181]

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.”

[vertical-gallery id=447919]

[lawrence-related id=448768,448737,448251,448733,448674]

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.

[vertical-gallery id=445985]

[lawrence-related id=448251,448733,448711,448674,448629]