Tag: Nick Willians

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]