BRIAN PICCOLO AND GALE SAYERS
April 2008
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.
Piccolo spent four seasons with the Bears and never escaped Gale Sayers' overwhelming shadow. Although Piccolo led the nation in rushing and scoring as a senior at Wake Forest in 1964, beating out two-time All-American Sayers among others, he wasn't drafted. Scouts believed the 5-foot-11, 190-pound back wasn't big or fast enough.
The Bears signed him as a free agent. Piccolo spent a year on the Bears' taxi squad before rushing 258 times for 927 yards and catching 58 passes for 537 yards from 1966-69. He scored four touchdowns.
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. But Piccolo's playing time increased the next season, in which he gained 317 yards rushing as 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.
In the ninth game of 1968, Sayers suffered a knee injury, ending his season. Piccolo became the starter. Sayers returned in 1969, and Piccolo was again relegated to being his backup. He began coughing early in the season and was later diagnosed with cancer. On April 9, 1970, his left lung was 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.
From Brian's life a Song of friendship, courage By Mike Puma, Special to ESPN.com
• How did both Piccolo and Sayers live charity, humility and courage?
• What do you think was more important to Sayers: his rushing title or his friendship with Brian Piccolo?
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