Brian's Song

Based on the book I am third, by Gale Sayers

Producer, Paul Junger Witt; director, Buzz Kulik; screenplay, William Blinn; music, Michel Legrand

James Caan, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Warden, Shelley Fabares, Judy Pace

A drama about the deep friendship between Gale Sayers, black halfback for the Chicago Bears, and his white teammate, Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer in 1970

Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo are roommates, a rarity during racial strife at the time. Sayers quickly becomes a standout player, but he injures his knee in a game against the San Francisco 49ers. In Sayers' place, Piccolo rushes for 160 yards in a 17–16 win over the Los Angeles Rams, and is given the game ball. But Piccolo starts to lose weight and his performance declines, so he is sent to a hospital for a diagnosis. Soon after, Halas tells Sayers that Piccolo has cancer, and Sayers dedicates his speech to Piccolo.