Saturday, February 6, 2010

MY HEROES - BRIAN PICCOLO

(Photo from Movie - Brian's Song)

"There's no question that Brian Piccolo's story was amplified by the movie. And now generations later, you don't know how many guys who ordinarily would be loath to admit that they shed a tear, will tell you at the drop of a hat, I still cry every time I see Brian's Song," says Bob Costas on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series.

Just mentioning his name offers us a reminder that each day can't be taken for granted. Brian Piccolo didn't live long enough to fulfill his dream of becoming a great NFL running back. But in death, from cancer at just 26, he became a symbol of courage.


Brian Piccolo, who led the nation in rushing and scoring at Wake Forest in 1964, rushed for 927 yards in four NFL seasons.
The 1971 made-for-television movie "Brian's Song" tugged at the nation's heart, telling the story of Piccolo's friendship -- one that shattered racial boundaries -- with his African-American Chicago Bears teammate Gale Sayers and Piccolo's final days. Piccolo was played by James Caan and Sayers by Billy Dee Williams.

Piccolo married his high school sweetheart, Joy Murrath, on December 26 and signed a free-agent contract with the Bears three days later. Piccolo had been talking with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Colts, but chose the Bears because owner George Halas offered him the most money.

The Bears had finished the season last in rushing.

"I figured they needed help," Piccolo said. "Fortunately for Bears fans and unfortunately for me, they got it -- from Gale Sayers."


James Caan (l) portrayed Brian Piccolo in 1971's "Brian's Song."
Before his first training camp, Piccolo pulled a hamstring. When he practiced, he was ineffective. After clearing waivers, he was signed to the Bears' taxi squad; he could practice with the team, but wasn't in uniform for games.

Piccolo hoped to become the team's starting fullback, in the same backfield with Sayers, in 1966. Halas had other ideas, and Piccolo spent the season playing on special teams, running from scrimmage only three times.

But Piccolo's playing time increased the next season, in which he gained 317 yards rushing and averaged 4.1 yards per carry as a backup to Sayers, his new roommate. The two became the first white and black men to room together in the NFL at a time the civil-rights movement was at its height.

"Pic never badmouthed anybody," Sayers said. "They say that people who like themselves like other people, and Brian was never short on self confidence. He truly liked people."

In the ninth game of 1968, Sayers suffered a ruptured cartilage and two torn ligaments in his right knee, ending his season. Piccolo became the starter. In late November against the Dallas Cowboys, he sprained an ankle, but after spending his career as a backup, Piccolo was determined to remain in the lineup. He took shots of a Novocain and cortisone to dull the pain.

In the next game, Piccolo had the only 100-yard rushing performance of his career, carrying 21 times for 112 yards in the Bears' 23-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints. In six games as a starter, Piccolo gained 450 yards.

Sayers returned in 1969, and Piccolo was again relegated to being his backup. He began coughing early in the season. On November 16 in Atlanta, after scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown in a 48-31 loss to the Falcons, he removed himself from the game, bothered by chest pains and that persistent cough.

Two days later, Piccolo took a chest X-ray. A tumor was spotted in his lungs, and Piccolo was sent to New York's Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He underwent surgery to remove the malignant tumor on November 28, at which time his doctor determined the cancer had spread.

Two weeks later, the Bears organized a press conference at his home and Piccolo announced his intent to continue playing football.

Piccolo began chemotherapy treatments and spent Christmas at home with his wife and three young daughters. On April 9, 1970, his left lung and left breast were removed.

Six weeks later, Sayers, who had recovered from his injuries to win the NFL rushing title, was honored with the George Halas Award as the league's most courageous player for the 1969 season. At a ceremony in New York, Sayers gave an emotional speech saying there was somebody more deserving of the award.

"He has the heart of a giant and that rare form of courage that allows him to kid himself and his opponent -- cancer," Sayers told the audience. "He has the mental attitude that makes me proud to have a friend who spells out the word 'courage' 24 hours a day of his life. . . . I love Brian Piccolo, and I'd like all of you to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him."

Piccolo was re-admitted to the hospital in early June, bothered by chest pain, and it was determined the cancer had spread to other organs. He died on June 16, 1970.

The Bears honor his memory by presenting the Brian Piccolo award each year to the rookie and veteran who best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor displayed by Piccolo.

Speech from "Brian's Song"

2 comments:

  1. Story of great courage and friendship. I cried like a baby and still do everytime I see the movie.

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  2. I remember seeing this movie when it first came out. My school was named after Brian Piccolo. In far rockaway NY I don't think i can watch this speech without crying. The song from the movie gets me also...Me and my best friend loved this movie and were in the school together she passed 20 years ago. Bringing back some memories

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