Top Five Bears Tragedies: Part 2
The Bears have been around for over one hundred years at this point, we've had many triumphs and many failures. As much as we celebrate our victories we also need to remember our failures. So here is part one of my top five bears tragedies.
THE SHORT AND TRAGIC LIFE OF BEARS RB BRIAN PICCOLO
Despite leading the nation in rushing and scoring�as a senior at Wake Forest, Brian Piccolo's name was not called in the 1964 NFL Draft. As a�free agent running back thought to be too small and slow for the pros, Piccolo was signed by the Chicago Bears, where he made his way from the taxi squad�(i.e. practice team) and became a competent backup to superstar halfback Gale Sayers, even starting several games in 1968 when Sayers suffered a season-ending injury (via Bears History). In 1969, however, he was slowed down by a persistent cough and chest pains and was soon found to have�embryonal cell carcinoma, a rare form of cancer that eventually spread to other organs. Piccolo was only 26 years old when he died on June 2, 1970.
Although not a superstar by any stretch of the imagination, Piccolo's work ethic and courage in the face of adversity forever ensured his place among the most notable players to ever wear a Bears uniform. His short life, as well as his then-unusual friendship with Black teammate Sayers at a time of racial unrest in America, became the basis of the 1971 made-for-television biopic "Brian's Song,"�which respectively starred James Caan and Billy Dee Williams as Piccolo and Sayers. The Bears also honored the late running back through the Brian Piccolo Award, which is presented to the "rookie and veteran who best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor" he exemplified during his time with the team, per ESPN.
