The bears have announced their two recipients of the Brian Piccolo Award
The Chicago Bears on Tuesday honored LB Robert Quinn and RB Khalil Herbert as the 2021 winners of the Brian Piccolo Award during a ceremony at Halas Hall.
The prestigious honor has been given to a Bears rookie since 1970 and was expanded in 1992 to include a veteran. In fact, Bears players vote for teammates who best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of Brian Piccolo, a Bears running back who died from embryonal cell carcinoma on June 16, 1970, at the age of 26. His battle against cancer and the friendship he developed with Gale Sayers when Sayers during their time together on the team was led to the movie "Brian's Song" in 1971, which was based on the book "A Short Season" by Jeannie Morris.
This means a lot inside the organization.
The two winners were:
(veteran) Robert Quinn(rookie) Khalil Herbert
Quinn had an amazing season, including 18,5 sacks. He was by far the best player on the field last year. he played his heart out every single week. He was nominated to the Pro Bowl and to the second-team all-pro as well.
Khalil Herbert was truly the surprise of the team. He exceeded all expectations as a 6th-round pick in 2021. Herbert ran for 433 yards and two touchdowns and had 14 receptions in his rookie season as the backup to David Montgomery. He also proved his effectiveness as a kickoff returner.
«I also want to thank my teammates for voting for me to be the rookie that receives this award. I will continue embodying these characteristics on and off the field and hope to make everybody proud in this room and my family back home.»
Here is the list of past winners since 2013:
2021: OLB Robert Quinn, RB Khalil Herbert
2020: WR Allen Robinson, WR Darnell Mooney
2019: DT Nick Williams, RB David Montgomery
2018: DE Akiem Hicks, LB Roquan Smith
2017: RB Benny Cunningham, RB Tarik Cohen
2016: WR Josh Bellamy, RB Jordan Howard
2015: TE Zach Miller, S Adrian Amos
2014: RB Matt Forte, CB Kyle Fuller
2013: QB Josh McCown, T Jordan Mills
