veteran who "best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor" of Piccolo. The winners are chosen by the Bears' veteran players. 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. In 2009 Brian's brother Don attended his first UNICO award ceremony in Rivervale, New Jersey, where he delivered a speech. The Chicago Bears honored Piccolo by retiring his jersey number 41. Brian's Song The film Brian's Song, loosely based on Gale Sayers' autobiography, tells the story of the friendship between Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and their time together while playing football for the Chicago Bears, up until Piccolo's death. It first aired in 1971 on ABC on Tuesday, November 30, less than 18 months after his death, and starred James Caan as Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams as Sayers. It was such a success on television that it was later shown in theaters. A remake aired in 2001 on ABC's The Wonderful World of Disney and starred Mekhi Phifer and Sean Maher. Biography Piccolo's biography, Brian Piccolo: A Short Season, was written by Jeannie Morris (a journalist whose husband was former Bears teammate Johnny Morris) and featured passages written by Piccolo himself for a planned autobiography. See also List of NCAA major college football yearly rushing leaders List of NCAA major college football yearly scoring leaders References External links Brian Piccolo biography at Bears History Brian's life a Song of friendship, courage – Brian Piccolo biography at ESPN.com Wake Forest Magazine tribute (July 1970, pages 32-33) 1943 births 1970 deaths American people of Italian descent Burials in Illinois Chicago Bears players Deaths from cancer in New York (state) Deaths from testicular cancer National Football League players with retired numbers Players of American football from Fort Lauderdale, Florida Players of American football from Massachusetts Sportspeople from Pittsfield, Massachusetts Piccolo, Brian Wake Forest Demon Deacons football players