On this date 52 years ago, former Bears running back Brian Piccolo died of embryonal cell carcinoma — a rare testicular cancer. Because of his extended battle with the terminal disease (which doctors first revealed in November 1969), Piccolo has lived on as a franchise legend ever since.
In the aftermath, ABC produced Brian’s Song in 1971, a TV movie that chronicled Piccolo’s (James Caan) close relationship with Hall of Famer Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams), especially as Piccolo fought cancer. Their interracial friendship was considered groundbreaking in American culture at the time in the late 1960s.
Sayers famously said in an award speech given roughly a month before Piccolo’s death, “I love Brian Piccolo, and I’d like all of you to love him, too.” The film documented and used that quote for effect. Sayers passed away in September 2020.
