Brian Piccolo
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Brian Piccolo (October 31,1943 – June 16,1970) was a professional football player who played for the Chicago Bears for four seasons. He died at the age of 26 from embryonal cell carcinoma, which was found as a very large tumor in his chest cavity. He was the subject of the 1971 movie Brian's Song. Piccolo was portrayed in the film by actor James Caan and by actor Sean Maher in the 2001 remake.
College and NFL career
Piccolo was a graduate of Wake Forest University. As recorded in the July 1970 edition of the Wake Forest Magazine, the running back was one of the greatest athletes in the history of the university up to that time. During his play at Wake Forest University, Piccolo was ACC Player of the Year. In 1964, his senior year, he led the nation in rushing and scoring.
Because he was not drafted in the 1965 NFL draft, Piccolo tried out for the Bears as a free agent. He made the team as a back-up to starting tailback Gale Sayers. He played in the NFL from 1966-1969 and scored five touchdowns. In 1969, he was moved into the backfield with Sayers as the starting fullback. But after a coughing spell in Atlanta and a failure to produce, he was sent to a doctor where he was diagnosed with cancer in November 1969. He died of the disease on June 16, 1970.
To honor his memory, students at Wake Forest began the [Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund Drive] in 1980, raising money for the [Comprehensive Cancer Center] at the Bowman Gray Medical Center of Wake Forest University. In addition, the Brian Piccolo Student Volunteer Program was established to provide undergraduates with an opportunity to work at the Cancer Center as volunteers.
Brian's Song
Any discussion of Brian Piccolo invariably turns to the movie, Brian's Song, the story of his friendship with Gale Sayers. The movie is loosely based on Sayers' autobiography, "I Am Third." Though an inspirational movie, several scenes never happened. The final scene, where Sayers comes to the hospital as Piccolo is taking his last breath, never happened. According to Sayers' book, he was not even in the same state when Piccolo died.
Sayers had received the 1969 George S. Halas Courage award at a banquet. His speech, the stirring climax of the movie, has him accepting the award on behalf of Piccolo. According to "I Am Third," Sayers taped Piccolo's name over his and the trophy was buried with Piccolo.
Brian Piccolo's biography, "A Short Season," was written by Jeanne Morris and released in 1971, the year after Piccolo died. "Brian's Song" was remade in 2001 starring Sean Maher in the title role. The theme to Brian's Song, "Hands of Time" was written by Michael Legrand.
External links
- [Brian Piccolo biography at Bears History]
- [Brian's life a Song of friendship, courage] - Brian Piccolo biography at ESPN.com
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