Brian Piccolo Professional American football player Date of Birth: 31.10.1943 Country: USA

1. Biography of Brian Piccolo
2. Brian Piccolo passed away on June 16, 1970, at the age of 26.

Biography of Brian Piccolo

Brian Piccolo was a professional American football player who played for the Chicago Bears for four years. He was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and was the youngest of three sons of Joseph and Irene Piccolo. When Brian was 12, his family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, because his parents were concerned about his brother Don's health.

From a young age, Brian and his brothers were involved in sports, with Brian excelling in football in school, even though he was more inclined towards baseball. In 1961, Piccolo graduated from high school and went on to play college football for Wake Forest. It is also known that he was offered a scholarship to study at Wichita State University.

During his time at Wake Forest, Brian became known not only for his athletic achievements but also for a non-sporting incident. In a game against the University of Maryland, Brian was instrumental in diffusing tension when he approached Darryl Hill, the first African-American football player in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and publicly embraced him. This gesture quelled the wave of public anger, and even the most fervent troublemakers were silenced.

On December 26, 1964, Brian married his high school sweetheart, Joy Murrath. They had three daughters: Lori, Traci, and Kristi. In 1964, Brian showcased his exceptional skills by receiving the ACC Player of the Year award. Surprisingly, no team expressed interest in drafting Piccolo into the National Football League in 1965. However, undeterred, he joined the Chicago Bears as a free agent. Initially, he was part of the training squad, but by 1966, he was included in the main squad, although he did not play in regular matches.

In 1967, Brian became Gale Sayers' permanent backup, and in 1969, he finally started playing on the field independently. Unfortunately, the 1969 season did not go well for the team, as they had a record of 1-13, their worst result in history. For Brian, this season marked his first full season in the main squad. His unusual behavior on November 16, voluntarily leaving the field, caused concern among his friends. Brian explained his actions as health-related difficulties, particularly in breathing.

Upon his return to Chicago, Brian sought medical help and received a devastating diagnosis: embryonal carcinoma. The cancer originated in his reproductive organs but had already spread to his lungs. Piccolo underwent several surgeries, losing his left lung and chest muscle in the process. However, the pain persisted, and further tests revealed that the disease had also affected other internal organs, including his liver.

Brian Piccolo passed away on June 16, 1970, at the age of 26.