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{{Short description|Award given by the NFL's Chicago Bears}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2010}}


The '''Brian Piccolo Award''' is an honor that is given to players of the [[Chicago Bears]]. The award is given to one rookie and one veteran per season who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late [[Brian Piccolo]], a running back for the Bears from 1966 until his untimely death from cancer on June 16, 1970, at age 26.<ref name="Sterngass 2015 p. 109">{{cite book | last=Sterngass | first=J. | title=Brian Urlacher | publisher=Chelsea House | year=2015 | isbn=978-1-4381-4233-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FK9bAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT109 | access-date=1 February 2022 | page=109}}</ref>
{{refimprove|date=May 2010}}

The '''Brian Piccolo Award''' is an honor that is given to players of the [[Chicago Bears]]. The award is given to one rookie and one veteran per season who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late [[Brian Piccolo]]. Piccolo was a running back for the Bears from 1966 until his untimely death from embryonal cell carcinoma on June 16, 1970, at age 26.


==History==
==History==
Line 16: Line 16:


==Award winners==
==Award winners==
The Brian Piccolo Award ceremony is held at Halas Hall each year, where Bears center [[Olin Kreutz]] and wide receiver [[Johnny Knox]] received the 2009 trophy. Previous award winners include [[Brian Urlacher]] (2000, 2007), [[Charles Tillman]] (2003, 2008, 2013), [[Tommie Harris]] (2004), [[Devin Hester]] (2006), [[Greg Olsen (American football)|Greg Olsen]] (2007), [[Matt Forte]] (2008, 2015). [[Nick Roach]] and [[Stephen Paea]] were the recipients of the Award in 2012,<ref>{{cite news|last=Biggs|first=Brad|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-24/sports/chi-chicago-bears-linebacker-nick-roach-wins-piccolo-award-20120424_1_nick-roach-halas-hall-annual-celebration|title=Bears LB Roach wins Piccolo Award|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 24, 2012|accessdate=April 28, 2012}}</ref> while Tillman, [[Shea McClellin]] and [[Julius Peppers]] received the Award in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Three-Bears-receive-prestigious-Piccolo-Awards/4b9cbd5f-8e10-414d-ae24-dcd991ec01eb|title=Three Bears receive prestigious Piccolo Awards|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=April 23, 2013|accessdate=April 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426203030/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Three-Bears-receive-prestigious-Piccolo-Awards/4b9cbd5f-8e10-414d-ae24-dcd991ec01eb|archive-date=April 26, 2013|dead-url=yes}}</ref> The following year, [[Jordan Mills]] and [[Josh McCown]] were awarded, but [[Jay Cutler (American football)|Jay Cutler]] accepted McCown's award, due to McCown joining the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] after the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Mills-McCown-win-Piccolo-Awards/22453824-14a2-4f2c-97ec-226b17c8ec13|title=Mills, McCown win Piccolo Awards|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=May 6, 2014|accessdate=May 6, 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122001154/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Mills-McCown-win-Piccolo-Awards/22453824-14a2-4f2c-97ec-226b17c8ec13|archivedate=January 22, 2017|df=}}</ref>
The Brian Piccolo Award ceremony is held at Halas Hall each year, where Bears center [[Olin Kreutz]] and wide receiver [[Johnny Knox]] received the 2009 trophy. Previous award winners include [[Brian Urlacher]] (2000, 2007), [[Charles Tillman]] (2003, 2008, 2013), [[Tommie Harris]] (2004), [[Devin Hester]] (2006), [[Greg Olsen (American football)|Greg Olsen]] (2007), [[Matt Forte]] (2008, 2015). [[Nick Roach]] and [[Stephen Paea]] were the recipients of the Award in 2012,<ref>{{cite news|last=Biggs|first=Brad|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/04/24/bears-lb-roach-wins-piccolo-award/|title=Bears LB Roach wins Piccolo Award|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 24, 2012|access-date=April 28, 2012}}</ref> while Tillman, [[Shea McClellin]] and [[Julius Peppers]] received the Award in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Three-Bears-receive-prestigious-Piccolo-Awards/4b9cbd5f-8e10-414d-ae24-dcd991ec01eb|title=Three Bears receive prestigious Piccolo Awards|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=April 23, 2013|access-date=April 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426203030/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Three-Bears-receive-prestigious-Piccolo-Awards/4b9cbd5f-8e10-414d-ae24-dcd991ec01eb|archive-date=April 26, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The following year, [[Jordan Mills]] and [[Josh McCown]] were awarded, but [[Jay Cutler]] accepted McCown's award, due to McCown joining the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] after the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayer|first=Larry|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Mills-McCown-win-Piccolo-Awards/22453824-14a2-4f2c-97ec-226b17c8ec13|title=Mills, McCown win Piccolo Awards|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=May 6, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122001154/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Mills-McCown-win-Piccolo-Awards/22453824-14a2-4f2c-97ec-226b17c8ec13|archive-date=January 22, 2017}}</ref>


===Brian Piccolo Award winners===
===Brian Piccolo Award winners===
Line 22: Line 22:
!bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Year !! bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Player !! bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Position
!bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Year !! bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Player !! bgcolor="#e5e5e5"| Position
|-
|-
! rowspan="2"|2023
| 2019 || [[Roquan Smith]] || [[Linebacker|LB]]
|[[Darnell Wright]]
|[[Tackle_(gridiron_football_position)|OT]]
|-
|-
|[[T.J. Edwards]]
| 2019 || [[Akiem Hicks]] || [[Defensive lineman|DL]]
|[[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2"|2022
| 2018 || [[Tarik Cohen]] || [[Running back|RB]]
|[[Jack Sanborn]]
|[[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
|[[David Montgomery (American football)|David Montgomery]]
| 2018 || [[Benny Cunningham]] || [[Running back|RB]]
|[[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" |2021
| 2017 || [[Josh Bellamy]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]/ST
|[[Khalil Herbert]]
|[[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
|[[Robert Quinn (American football)|Robert Quinn]]
| 2017 || [[Jordan Howard]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|[[Outside linebacker|OLB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" |2020
| 2016 || [[Zach Miller (tight end, born 1984)|Zach Miller]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
|[[Allen Robinson]]
|[[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
|-
|[[Darnell Mooney]]
| 2016 || [[Adrian Amos]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
|[[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" |2019
| 2015 || [[Matt Forte]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|[[David Montgomery (American football)|David Montgomery]]
|[[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
|[[Nick Williams (defensive lineman)|Nick Williams]]
| 2015 || [[Kyle Fuller]]|| [[Cornerback|CB]]
|[[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2018
| 2014|| [[Josh McCown]]|| [[Quarterback|QB]]
| [[Roquan Smith]] || [[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
| 2014 || [[Jordan Mills]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|OT]]
| [[Akiem Hicks]]|| [[Defensive lineman|DL]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2017
| 2013 || [[Shea McClellin]] || [[Defensive end|DE]]
| [[Tarik Cohen]] || [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
| 2013 || [[Julius Peppers]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
| [[Benny Cunningham]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2016
| 2013 || [[Charles Tillman]]|| [[Cornerback|CB]]
| [[Josh Bellamy]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]/ST
|-
|-
| 2012 || [[Stephen Paea]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
| [[Jordan Howard]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2015
| 2012 || [[Nick Roach]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
| [[Zach Miller (tight end, born 1984)|Zach Miller]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
|-
|-
| 2011 || [[J'Marcus Webb]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|OT]]
| [[Adrian Amos]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2014
| 2011 || [[Anthony Adams]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
| [[Matt Forte]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
| 2010 || [[Johnny Knox]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| [[Kyle Fuller]]|| [[Cornerback|CB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2013
| 2010 || [[Olin Kreutz]]|| [[Center (Gridiron football)|C]]
| [[Josh McCown]]|| [[Quarterback|QB]]
|-
|-
| 2009 || [[Olin Kreutz]]|| [[Center (Gridiron football)|C]]
| [[Jordan Mills]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|OT]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="3" | 2012
| 2009 || [[Johnny Knox]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| [[Shea McClellin]] || [[Defensive end|DE]]
|-
|-
| 2008 || [[Charles Tillman]]|| [[Cornerback|CB]]
| [[Julius Peppers]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
|-
|-
| 2008 || [[Matt Forte]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
| [[Charles Tillman]]|| [[Cornerback|CB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2011
| 2007 || [[Brian Urlacher]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
| [[Stephen Paea]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
|-
|-
| [[Nick Roach]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
| 2007 || [[Greg Olsen (American football)|Greg Olsen]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2010
| 2006 || [[Olin Kreutz]]|| [[Center (Gridiron football)|C]]
| [[J'Marcus Webb]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|OT]]
|-
|-
| 2006 || [[Devin Hester]]|| [[Punt returner|PR]]/[[Kickoff returner|KR]]
| [[Anthony Adams]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2009
| 2005 || [[John Tait (American football)|John Tait]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
| [[Olin Kreutz]]|| [[Center (gridiron football)|C]]
|-
|-
| [[Johnny Knox]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| 2005 || [[Chris Harris (safety)|Chris Harris]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2008
| 2004 || [[Olin Kreutz]]|| [[Center (Gridiron football)|C]]
| [[Charles Tillman]]|| [[Cornerback|CB]]
|-
|-
| 2004 || [[Tommie Harris]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
| [[Matt Forte]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2007
| 2003 || [[Olin Kreutz]]|| [[Center (Gridiron football)|C]]
| [[Brian Urlacher]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
| [[Greg Olsen (American football)|Greg Olsen]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
| 2003 || [[Charles Tillman]]|| [[Cornerback|CB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2006
| 2002 || [[Phillip Daniels]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
| [[Olin Kreutz]]|| [[Center (gridiron football)|C]]
|-
|-
| [[Devin Hester]]|| [[Punt returner|PR]]/[[Kickoff returner|KR]]
| 2002 || [[Alex Brown (American football)|Alex Brown]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2005
| 2001 || [[James Williams (lineman)|James Williams]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
| [[John Tait (American football)|John Tait]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
|-
|-
| [[Chris Harris (safety)|Chris Harris]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
| 2001 || [[Anthony Thomas (American football)|Anthony Thomas]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2004
| 2000 || [[Clyde Simmons]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
| [[Olin Kreutz]]|| [[Center (gridiron football)|C]]
|-
|-
| [[Tommie Harris]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
| 2000 || [[Brian Urlacher]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2003
| 1999 || [[Marcus Robinson (American football)|Marcus Robinson]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| [[Olin Kreutz]]|| [[Center (gridiron football)|C]]
|-
|-
| 1999 || [[Jerry Azumah]]|| [[Defensive back|DB]]
| [[Charles Tillman]]|| [[Cornerback|CB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2002
| 1998 || [[Bobby Engram]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| [[Phillip Daniels]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
|-
|-
| [[Alex Brown (defensive end)|Alex Brown]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
| 1998 || [[Tony Parrish]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2001
| 1997 || [[Ryan Wetnight]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
| [[James Williams (lineman)|James Williams]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
|-
|-
| 1997 || [[John Allred (American football)|John Allred]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
| [[Anthony Thomas (American football)|Anthony Thomas]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2000
| 1997 || Van Hiles|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
| [[Clyde Simmons]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
|-
|-
| [[Brian Urlacher]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
| 1996 || [[Chris Zorich]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1999
| 1996 || [[Bobby Engram]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| [[Marcus Robinson (American football)|Marcus Robinson]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
|-
| 1995 || [[Erik Kramer]]|| [[Quarterback|QB]]
| [[Jerry Azumah]]|| [[Defensive back|DB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1998
| 1995 || [[Rashaan Salaam]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
| [[Bobby Engram]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
|-
| 1994 || [[Shaun Gayle]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
| [[Tony Parrish]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="3" | 1997
| 1994 || [[Raymont Harris]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
| [[Ryan Wetnight]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
|-
|-
| [[John Allred (American football)|John Allred]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
| 1993 || [[Tom Waddle]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
|-
| [[Van Hiles]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
| 1993 || [[Myron Baker]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1996
| 1993 || [[Todd Perry (American football)|Todd Perry]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
| [[Chris Zorich]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
|-
|-
| 1992 || [[Mike Singletary]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
| [[Bobby Engram]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1995
| 1992 || [[Troy Auzenne]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
| [[Erik Kramer]]|| [[Quarterback|QB]]
|-
|-
| 1991 || [[Chris Zorich]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
| [[Rashaan Salaam]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1994
| 1990 || [[Mark Carrier (safety)|Mark Carrier]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
| [[Shaun Gayle]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
|-
|-
| 1989 || [[Trace Armstrong]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
| [[Raymont Harris]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="3" | 1993
| 1988 || [[James Thornton (tight end)|James Thornton]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
| [[Tom Waddle]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
|-
| 1988 || [[Mickey Pruitt]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
| [[Myron Baker]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
| 1987 || [[Ron Morris (American football)|Ron Morris]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| [[Todd Perry (American football)|Todd Perry]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" | 1992
| 1986 || [[Neal Anderson]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
| [[Mike Singletary]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
| 1985 || [[Kevin Butler (American football)|Kevin Butler]]|| [[K]]
| [[Troy Auzenne]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
|-
|-
! 1991
| 1984 || JD Maarleveld|| [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|T]]
| [[Chris Zorich]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
|-
|-
! 1990
| 1983 || [[Jim Covert]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
| [[Mark Carrier (safety)|Mark Carrier]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
|-
|-
! 1989
| 1982 || [[Jim McMahon]]|| [[Quarterback|QB]]
| [[Trace Armstrong]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
|-
|-
! 1988
| 1981 || [[Mike Singletary]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
| [[James Thornton (tight end)|James Thornton]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
|-
|-
! 1988
| 1980 || Bob Fisher|| [[Tight end|TE]]
| [[Mickey Pruitt]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
! 1987
| 1979 || [[Dan Hampton]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
| [[Ron Morris (American football)|Ron Morris]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
|-
! 1986
| 1978 || [[John Skibinski]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
| [[Neal Anderson]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
|-
! 1985
| 1977 || [[Ted Albrecht]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
| [[Kevin Butler (American football)|Kevin Butler]]|| [[Placekicker|K]]
|-
|-
! 1984
| 1976 || [[Brian Baschnagel]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| [[Shaun Gayle]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
|-
|-
! 1983
| 1975 || [[Roland Harper]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
| [[Jim Covert]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
|-
|-
! 1982
| 1974 || [[Fred Pagac]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
| [[Jim McMahon]]|| [[Quarterback|QB]]
|-
|-
! 1981
| 1973 || [[Wally Chambers]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
| [[Mike Singletary]]|| [[Linebacker|LB]]
|-
|-
! 1980
| 1972 || [[Jim Osborne (American football)|Jim Osborne]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
| [[Bob Fisher (tight end)|Bob Fisher]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
|-
|-
! 1979
| 1971 || [[Jerry Moore (American football, born 1949)|Jerry Moore]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
| [[Dan Hampton]]|| [[Defensive end|DE]]
|-
|-
! 1978
| 1970 || [[Glen Holloway]]|| [[Guard (American and Canadian football)|G]]
| [[John Skibinski]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
! 1977
| [[Ted Albrecht]]|| [[Tackle (Gridiron football position)|T]]
|-
! 1976
| [[Brian Baschnagel]]|| [[Wide receiver|WR]]
|-
! 1975
| [[Roland Harper]]|| [[Running back|RB]]
|-
! 1974
| [[Fred Pagac]]|| [[Tight end|TE]]
|-
! 1973
| [[Wally Chambers]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
|-
! 1972
| [[Jim Osborne (American football)|Jim Osborne]]|| [[Tackle (American and Canadian football)|DT]]
|-
! 1971
| [[Jerry Moore (American football, born 1949)|Jerry Moore]]|| [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|S]]
|-
! 1970
| [[Glen Holloway]]|| [[Guard (American and Canadian football)|G]]
|-
|-
|}
|}
Line 192: Line 273:


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.chicagobears.com/photos/brian-piccolo-award-winners Brian Piccolo Award winners]
* http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/brianpiccolo.aspx
* [http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/brianpiccolo.aspx Brian Piccolo lore]


{{Chicago Bears}}
{{Chicago Bears}}

[[Category:National Football League trophies and awards]]
[[Category:National Football League trophies and awards]]
[[Category:Chicago Bears]]
[[Category:Chicago Bears]]

Latest revision as of 21:16, 12 November 2024

The Brian Piccolo Award is an honor that is given to players of the Chicago Bears. The award is given to one rookie and one veteran per season who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo, a running back for the Bears from 1966 until his untimely death from cancer on June 16, 1970, at age 26.[1]

History

[edit]

Brian Piccolo went un-drafted in the 1965 NFL Draft despite being named the ACC Player of the Year at Wake Forest (1964), where he led the nation with points (111) and yards rushing (1,044) as a senior. In 1965, Piccolo tried out for the Chicago Bears as a free agent and made the team. He progressed from the practice squad to the back-up of starting tailback Gale Sayers by 1967. For the 1969 season, Piccolo was named the starting fullback for the Chicago Bears.

On November 16, during the ninth game of the 1969 season in Atlanta, Piccolo voluntarily removed himself from the game due to extreme difficulty breathing on the field. When the team returned to Chicago, he received a medical examination and chest x-ray that revealed a malignancy. He was then diagnosed with embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of testicular cancer that had already spread to his chest cavity. After the diagnosis, Piccolo underwent surgery at Sloan-Kettering in New York City to remove the tumor. He had another surgery to remove his left lung and pectoral muscle in April 1970. Later in June of the same year, Piccolo started to feel chest pain and was re-admitted to the hospital, where doctors determined that the cancer had spread to other organs, most notably his liver. Piccolo died on Tuesday, June 16, 1970, at the age of 26. His courageous battle was later portrayed in the classic 1971 TV movie Brian's Song, starring James Caan as Piccolo.

When Piccolo died in 1970, embryonal cell carcinoma was 100% fatal. With advances in medicine over the years, more than 50% of patients with the disease are now cured.

The Brian Piccolo Award was originally awarded the same year as Piccolo's death (1970) to a Chicago Bears rookie who "best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo".

In 1990, the Chicago Bears commissioned Chicago native and artist, Tom McKee, to design and sculpt the Brian Piccolo Award that is currently awarded. Each year this bronze sculpture is given to a Bears rookie and a veteran player (since 1992).

Award winners

[edit]

The Brian Piccolo Award ceremony is held at Halas Hall each year, where Bears center Olin Kreutz and wide receiver Johnny Knox received the 2009 trophy. Previous award winners include Brian Urlacher (2000, 2007), Charles Tillman (2003, 2008, 2013), Tommie Harris (2004), Devin Hester (2006), Greg Olsen (2007), Matt Forte (2008, 2015). Nick Roach and Stephen Paea were the recipients of the Award in 2012,[2] while Tillman, Shea McClellin and Julius Peppers received the Award in 2013.[3] The following year, Jordan Mills and Josh McCown were awarded, but Jay Cutler accepted McCown's award, due to McCown joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2013 season.[4]

Brian Piccolo Award winners

[edit]
Year Player Position
2023 Darnell Wright OT
T.J. Edwards LB
2022 Jack Sanborn LB
David Montgomery RB
2021 Khalil Herbert RB
Robert Quinn OLB
2020 Allen Robinson WR
Darnell Mooney WR
2019 David Montgomery RB
Nick Williams DT
2018 Roquan Smith LB
Akiem Hicks DL
2017 Tarik Cohen RB
Benny Cunningham RB
2016 Josh Bellamy WR/ST
Jordan Howard RB
2015 Zach Miller TE
Adrian Amos S
2014 Matt Forte RB
Kyle Fuller CB
2013 Josh McCown QB
Jordan Mills OT
2012 Shea McClellin DE
Julius Peppers DE
Charles Tillman CB
2011 Stephen Paea DT
Nick Roach LB
2010 J'Marcus Webb OT
Anthony Adams DT
2009 Olin Kreutz C
Johnny Knox WR
2008 Charles Tillman CB
Matt Forte RB
2007 Brian Urlacher LB
Greg Olsen TE
2006 Olin Kreutz C
Devin Hester PR/KR
2005 John Tait T
Chris Harris S
2004 Olin Kreutz C
Tommie Harris DT
2003 Olin Kreutz C
Charles Tillman CB
2002 Phillip Daniels DE
Alex Brown DE
2001 James Williams T
Anthony Thomas RB
2000 Clyde Simmons DE
Brian Urlacher LB
1999 Marcus Robinson WR
Jerry Azumah DB
1998 Bobby Engram WR
Tony Parrish S
1997 Ryan Wetnight TE
John Allred TE
Van Hiles S
1996 Chris Zorich DT
Bobby Engram WR
1995 Erik Kramer QB
Rashaan Salaam RB
1994 Shaun Gayle S
Raymont Harris RB
1993 Tom Waddle WR
Myron Baker LB
Todd Perry T
1992 Mike Singletary LB
Troy Auzenne T
1991 Chris Zorich DT
1990 Mark Carrier S
1989 Trace Armstrong DE
1988 James Thornton TE
1988 Mickey Pruitt LB
1987 Ron Morris WR
1986 Neal Anderson RB
1985 Kevin Butler K
1984 Shaun Gayle S
1983 Jim Covert T
1982 Jim McMahon QB
1981 Mike Singletary LB
1980 Bob Fisher TE
1979 Dan Hampton DE
1978 John Skibinski RB
1977 Ted Albrecht T
1976 Brian Baschnagel WR
1975 Roland Harper RB
1974 Fred Pagac TE
1973 Wally Chambers DT
1972 Jim Osborne DT
1971 Jerry Moore S
1970 Glen Holloway G

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sterngass, J. (2015). Brian Urlacher. Chelsea House. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-4381-4233-3. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  2. ^ Biggs, Brad (April 24, 2012). "Bears LB Roach wins Piccolo Award". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  3. ^ Mayer, Larry (April 23, 2013). "Three Bears receive prestigious Piccolo Awards". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on April 26, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  4. ^ Mayer, Larry (May 6, 2014). "Mills, McCown win Piccolo Awards". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on January 22, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
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