Football card of Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, whose battle with cancer and friendship with teammate Gale Sayers was documented in the movie “Brian’s Song”. A biography of the young back whose career ended far too soon, “Brian Piccolo: A Short Season” was written by Jeannie Morris, wife of another Bears teammate Johnny Morris. Piccolo lost his fight with the disease in 1969. Here is an excerpt from Sayers’ speech from May 1970, when he accepted the NFL’s Most Courageous Player award: “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 also told the crowd they had selected the wrong person for the honor, and would accept it only on Piccolo’s behalf.
John wiebe
December 17, 2013 at 4:14 pm
I saw Brian’s Song when I was a little kid, I’m 50 now and for my 50th Birthday my wife and kids bought me his rookie card – I cried. To Brian you and your family will always be in my prayers. I was born and raised in New York, but will always be a Bears fan because of you. God Bless, John