Joy Piccolo O’ Connell, wife of Late Brain Piccolo

The oldest, Lori, was four and a half years old when her father died. Joy Piccolo remarried three years after Brian’s death and she and husband Rick O’Connell continue to work tirelessly for the foundation.

Is Joy Piccolo still living?

It seems that Joy Piccolo O’Connell has lived two lives. Her organization, the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, was founded shortly after the 26-year-old Piccolo died on June 16, 1970.

Was Brian Piccolo Italian?

An Italian-American organization named UNICO (an acronym for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, and Opportunity) honors his memory each year by awarding the Brian Piccolo Award to courageous and outstanding athletes of Italian-American heritage.

How many surgeries did Brian Piccolo have?

Because his cancer was so rare, Piccolo sought treatment at New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Over the next half-year, until his death in June 1970, he underwent three major operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Is Brian’s song based on a true story?

In Real Life: Although “Brian’s Song” is based on a chapter in Gale Sayers’ “I Am Third,” Sayers never claims that he and Piccolo were as close as the movie suggests. Sayers says they came to like each other very much, were good friends, and did hang out together.

Is Linda Sayers still alive?

Linda Sayers was married to Gale at the time depicted in the film. She now lives in the Chicago area and teaches computer technology to high school students.

How long did Brian Piccolo live after diagnosis?

Remembering Piccolo 50 years after his passing

The fullback/running back passed away due to embryonal cell carcinoma on June 16, 1970 at the age of 26 after playing four seasons with the Bears.

What disease did Brian Piccolo have?

The ultimate diagnosis was embryonal cell carcinoma, a rare type of testicular cancer. Piccolo underwent treatment at New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where, in November 1969, surgeons removed the tumor and part of his lung, where the cancer had also spread.

Is there a remake of Brian’s Song?

Brian’s Song is the 2001 remake of the 1971 television film Brian’s Song, telling the story of Brian Piccolo (Sean Maher), a white running back who meets, clashes with and befriends fellow Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers (Mekhi Phifer).

Who died from Brian’s Song?

Piccolo dies with his wife by his side. The movie ends with a flashback of Piccolo and Sayers running through the park, while Halas narrates that Piccolo died at age 26 and is remembered not for how he died but for how he lived.

What were Brian Piccolo’s last words?

Brian Piccolo’s last words were, “Can you believe it, Joy? Can you believe this s***?” As talented a player as Gale Sayers was, he never played in a post-season game, as the Bears didn’t reach the playoffs at any point during his professional career.