Original subtitles

This is a story about two men.

One named Gale Sayers, the other, Brian Piccolo.

They came from different parts of the country.

They competed for the same job. One was white, the other black.

One liked to talk a lot, the other was shy as a 3-year-old.

Our story's about how they came to know each other...

...fight each other and help each other.

Ernest Hemingway said that every true story ends in death.

This is a true story.

Yo! Heads up!

Here you go.

Thanks.

Gale Sayers?

Brian Piccolo. We met up in Buffalo in that All-American game last June.

Sorry, I didn't remember. I'm not good at that stuff.

Oh, golly, that's all right.

I can see how you might forget, but I sure couldn't.

That was a heck of a talk we had.

I said, "I'm Brian Piccolo. I hear we'll both be playing for the Bears."

And you said... I'll never forget it.

You said, "Uh-huh." Just like that. "Uh-huh."

Whenever I'm feeling kind of low and depressed...

...well, I think about that advice.

A lot of guys wouldn't have talked to me, but not you.

You just said, "Uh-huh." Just like that. Right out.

Uh-huh.

Where do I check in?

That building over there. That's where Halas is.

Did you ever meet him before?

Talked to him on the phone a few times.

Yeah, well...

Look, let me give you a little hint, all right?

See, he's...

He's a good guy and all that...

...but he's a little deaf in his left ear...

...and a little too vain to admit it.

So you gotta stand on his right side if you want him to hear you.

Okay, thanks.

You bet. Rookies gotta stick together.

Pardon me. Can you tell me where I can find Coach Halas' office?

Thank you.

Come in.

Well, Sayers.

I'm George Halas.

Yeah, I know. I mean, everyone knows who you are.

You're in time to give me a hand with this thing.

My good-luck picture.

That's the first professional team I ever played on.

The Decatur Staleys in 1920.

How's your leg?

I understand where you...

- I understand you hurt it. - It's fine. 100%.

And your head?

My head? There's nothing wrong with my head.

Good.

Being in that All-Star game put you three weeks behind.

- Ain't gonna be easy. - NFL ain't supposed to be easy.

That's right.

Well, all I can promise you is a fair shot.

But you're gonna have a lot of company.

Jon Arnett, Ralph Kurek, Brian Piccolo.

There's gonna be plenty...

Gonna be plenty crowded out there.

A fair shot is all I want. Can't ask for more than that.

We plan using our backs as receivers this year.

Did you do much...?

Did you do much pass catching when you were in college?

Yes, sir, I did.

Usually, safety-valve stuff.

Well, I like to keep my backs in a pattern.

Unless the other team's blitzing. You'll have to watch for that.

Those linebackers. You gotta make sure they're not coming in.

- I know, especially with teams... - What the hell are you doing?

I don't know what you mean.

I know you got moves, but you don't have to show them to me now.

You're bouncing around here like a pauper in a pay toilet.

Well, I was just trying to get on the side of your good ear.

What are you talking about, "good ear"?

Brian Piccolo said that...

He said...

Hey, Sayers.

We'll have to stop meeting like this. My wife's getting suspicious.

Hold it down!

Some of you cats that pulled in today...

...haven't heard what will be expected.

So hold it down and let me talk.

You new guys will get a playbook tomorrow.

It's like the Bible.

You lose your playbook, it's gonna cost you $1000.

I heard this thing twice already today.

Lose your playbook, it'd cost a $1000.

Lose it twice, they feed your foot to the defense.

Would you cool it, please?

I'm just trying to be helpful.

- Well, I don't need your... - Mr. Sayers!

I mentioned the fine for talking at a meeting. You hear what I said?

No, I did not.

The fine for talking at a team meeting, Mr. Sayers, is $25.

And it's just been laid on you. Can you dig that?

Yeah.

Sorry, man.

Hold up.

It was brought to my attention that unless Sayers was saying his beads...

...it might be fair if Mr. Piccolo would sing a song.

Say, like, maybe a fight song.

Wake Forest, right, Mr. Piccolo?

That's right.

You can't let it get to you. It's just a question of style.

Style, I say.

Excuse me.

Oh, here's to Wake Forest

A glass of the finest Red Ruddy Rhenish filled up to the brim

Her sons, they are many Unrivaled by any

With hearts o'erflowing They will sing a hymn

Rah! Rah! Rah!

Wake Forest, rah!

Old alma mater's sons we are

We'll herald the story And die for her glory

Old Black and Gold is ever waving high

All right. Let's go to 10 nice and loud.

Start off slowly. Ready. Exercise.

One, two, three. One, two, three.

Dig! Dig! What's wrong with you? You're not trying!

You're not trying. You make me sick!

We're loaning you those uniforms. Don't you know that?

We'll let you keep them as long as you play like Chicago Bears.

But the minute you start tiptoeing around, we're gonna want them back.

42-trap, Sayers up.

Way to go! Way to go, Gale!

That's more like it.

Good execution, Charley. That's it.

Two-ninety-two!

Set, hut!

Ready, set...

...go!

Ready, set, go!

I think it's working.

What's working?

I'm getting you overconfident.

Plant. You gotta plant your right foot, boy. That's dumb.

Just practicing the halfback option.

I haven't got the lock that you have on making the team...

...and Halas said that they're gonna use that option a lot this year.

And it's not one of my strong points, understand?

Try going to your left.

They don't look for a right-handed guy to throw, going to his left.

I will, thanks.

Hey, Sayers. I did say, "Thank you."

I know.

Well, that usually calls for a response like:

"You're welcome," or "How's your mother?"

"How's your mother?"

She's fine. Thank you for asking.

You're welcome.

Hut! Hut!

Okay, first cut.

Where do we start?

Backfield.

- Fenne4? - Cut.

- Daniels? - Cut.

Sayers?

Are you kidding?

Charles?

Shoot him. Justifiable homicide.

What about Piccolo?

He's too slow and he's too light, but he hangs in like a terrier.

Let's keep him till the final cut.

Hut! Hut! Hut!

Piccolo, you bonehead, that was fake draw, screen right!

What the hell do you do on fake draw, screen right?

On a fake draw, screen right, I pick up a linebacker if he's coming.

Unless it's Butkus, then I notify the quarterback to send for a priest.

All right, knock it off. Don't encourage him.

Let's run that again.

Let's go. Come on.

We're not holding this man up.

I know we're not, that's why we're here.

Don't tell me about the fool, because I was there!

You talk like I'm blind! Come in.

I saw him.

But he's not giving him pressure. He didn't at the time.

Hello, Gale.

Come on in, sit down.

You know Ed McCaskey. J.C.

I'll call you back, all right?

You want some iced tea?

Yeah, please.

There you go.

I'll tell you what we wanted to talk to you about.

Well, I'm an old-timer in a lot of ways.

At least that's what some people keep telling me.

But I don't think it's all that common for a man of my age to...

...be used to the way things are.

To be comfortable with things.

What it comes down to is that J.C. Had a notion here...

...and Ed seems to think it's a good idea.

And I guess we are due for some changes around here.

You want me to play flanker, not running back.

No, no, no.

It's not that simple, Gale.

J.C.'s idea, and yes, I did agree with him...

...'cause that this is 1965.

We'd like the Bears to room together according to position...

...without any regard to race.

So we'd like you and Brian Piccolo to room together.

That's all? That's what this is about?

Is that all?

Yeah! You had me worried. I thought it was something really...

This is something "really"

A white man and a black man rooming together hasn't been done before.

You're gonna be called a "Tom" by some blacks...

...and "uppity nigger" by some whites.

When we go on the road, I'm talking about Atlanta...

...Houston, Miami, New Orleans...

...it ain't gonna be no better in Detroit, Minnesota or San Francisco...

...or any other town.

You're gonna rock the boat, and people out there are already seasick.

What J.C. Is saying is that there may be some pressures.

Severe ones.

What do you say?

You and me are rooming together.

- Says who? - Who else?

That's terrific.

It's a shame he couldn't ask me how I feel, isn't it?

You want me out?

I don't want you out, stay. I guess I'm just...

...steamed at the old man for not putting me in the scrimmage today.

Is that your wife?

She's pretty.

So is yours, and the little girl.

Thanks.

Supposed to call her tonight...

...tell her how I'm going.

That might be the shortest phone call in history.

Maybe not.

Pic...

...they wouldn't room us together unless we both made the team.

That's right.

- Let's go call our wives. - Wait a minute, I just called!

- Come on, man! - Out you go.

Congratulations on making the team, gentlemen.

Well done.

Coach Halas kind of frowns on the hazing of new men.

But now that you've made the team, it's like you're one of us.

Welcome to the Chicago Bears!

Pass from Concannon to Sayers, complete for a touchdown for the Bears.

Is playing in the NFL any easier than you thought it'd be?

My first game. Not exactly an expert.

J.C. Says he hasn't seen anyone carry the ball...

...for the Bears like that since Willie Galimore.

The blocks were there.

That's not what you said last night.

You called the offensive line the "seven blocks of Silly Putty."

You're Brian Piccolo.

Yes, sir, that's right. Piccolo. P-l-C-C-O-L-O.

You two are the only black and white player rooming together on the team.

Any problems so far?

Not as long as he doesn't use the bathroom.

Pic!

Hey, Gale, when you run...

...do you think about what you're doing, or you just do it?

I just do it.

Start thinking about it, will you?

I want to play some too.

I save it. Anyway, so...

Concannon calls this trap play. You know what a trap play is?

I think so.

A trap play is when all the linemen go one way...

...and hopefully, the defense goes the same way. If they do...

...it's a big hole. If they don't, it's bad news.

Anyway, Concannon calls this trap play...

...and it's beautiful. 43 yards, wasn't it?

And Halas sees he's tired...

...and sends me in. I go in and he comes out.

Concannon then figures he's gonna get foxy.

You know, Concannon is...

Well, he says, "Same play."

Very same play.

Trap play is also called a "sucker play"...

...because it makes the defense look bad when it works.

And defenses do not like to look real bad. Makes them kind of surly.

All the linemen go this way...

...and it's like I'm looking at a team portrait of the Los Angeles Rams.

Hey, Deacon? Merlin? How's the family, Rosey?

I was afraid to get up, that not everything would come with me.

You've never seen anyone so black-and-blue in your life!

It's like I'm rooming with a colored player again.

Gale told a joke.

The stone-face from Kansas speaks.

All right! Hey, Chicago! Chicago!

Sayers speaks! He speaks!

Hey, Black Magic?

Listen to this letter I got.

"You must have been raised with pigs to room with one of those darkies.

You must not have been taught anything when you were a boy.

You must have crawled out from under some slimy rock."

Is that all?

Except the usual: "Love, Mother."

Magic.

- I'm gonna write you a speech. - What kind of speech?

An acceptance speech for Rookie of the Year. You can't miss.

I gotta give a speech? No way.

The man we're honoring tonight was a two-time All-American.

He was the top draft choice of the Chicago Bears of 1965...

...and three times, during the season, he gained 100 or more yards.

Perhaps his best individual performance...

All right, go ahead. From the top.

I want to thank you all for this honor...

...but I really think it's not right to give it to one man.

Football is a team sport and...

Start from the top. Look up.

Gale Sayers.

I'd like to thank you all for this honor...

...though it's not really right...

Thank you.

Who'd believe it?

I mean, who would ever believe it?

Dumb.

All right, let's go. On the line: Davis, Turner.

Ready...

...set, go!

Spinny, Lyle!

Ready...

...set, go!

O'Bradovich, Caroline!

Hey, Abe. Since when does a lineman have to race a halfback?

- Race against the clock, not me. - I still ought to have a handicap.

You said the defensive backfield was your handicap all last year, O.B.

Shut up, Pic. You're still a rookie to me.

Cut it out. Pic, get back in line.

Ready, set...

- Did you just get in? - Yeah.

I would have been in earlier, but my plane got fogged in in Detroit.

You're in good shape.

Worked hard all winter. Did you talk to Linda?

No, why?

I thought you heard. Joy's expecting again.

That's great.

If it's a boy, we'd like to name it after you.

- No kidding. - Got a real nice ring to it.

Spade Piccolo.

Last season is history.

You're gonna run and hit and hurt and run some more.

All right, let's go.

42-trap, Piccolo up.

Brian, that's the way to go!

See, Sayers, that's why you'll never make it.

Pizza has magical properties...

...that give Italians a lot of strength and speed.

A lot of great Italian running backs...

That's right, there are. There's Leroy Kellian, Lenny Moorinelli.

- Hey, J.C. - Hey, babe.

Is that Sunday's lineup?

- What's the backfield? - Concannon, Ralph Kurek...

...and you.

Well, come on, Magic. Pizza's gonna get cold.

Play pass, be alive!

Be alive!

Everybody, get it in. Come on, let's go there.

You got him. You got him now!

Bears' ball. First and 10 on the San Francisco 42-yard line.

Come on, Bobby, let's go!

All right, let's go, Bobby! Let's go!

Yours, Gale. 28-toss.

On three.

That's good. Come on.

- Let me help you. - No.

- It's just so good to have you home. - Yeah, it's good to be home.

Can I get you anything?

Nope. I'm fine.

It's almost lunchtime. Would you like a sandwich?

I'm not hungry. You go ahead.

I left the kids at Joy's, so I'd better go pick them up.

- Will you be all right? - Yeah.

You sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

Her sons, they are many Unrivaled by any

With hearts o'erflowing They will sing a hymn

Rah! Rah! Wake Forest, rah!

Old alma mater's sons we are...

Is that you, Magic?

Yes, it is. Thought you'd never get here.

- What are you doing here? - That is not a bad act.

But "Peg Leg" Bates does it better.

What is that thing supposed to be?

That's not supposed to be anything than what it is...

...which is a leg-lift machine.

- Well, what for? - What for?

Getting that knee back in shape won't be a take-it-easy proposition.

If you're afraid, I mean, that's understandable.

I'm not afraid.

You ought to be afraid.

I'm not afraid. I'm just tired of being bugged by reporters, Linda, you!

You know, you are a real charmer. An absolute saint.

Maybe you think it's friendly...

You can stick that in your ditty bag too, you dumb jackass.

You know, Gale...

...when I was in high school...

...I was one of the best backs in the state.

Unfortunately for me...

...the best back in the state, Tucker Frederickson...

...went to the same school.

The colleges used to come down and watch us play.

Old Tuck, he wound up at Auburn...

...and I wound up at Wake Forest.

Good school. Nice place...

...but not exactly center ring, you understand?

I worked my tail off at Forest.

In my senior year...

...I led the nation in rushing and scoring.

I mean, I led the entire nation.

So I go look for a pro team, and I pick the Bears.

Now who else comes to the Bears? Mr. Sayers.

Big gun from a big school.

I'm number two all over again.

Well, old buddy...

...l'm number one guy now...

...but for all the wrong reasons.

Unless you come back 100 percent...

...people are gonna say:

"Piccolo got in on a pass.

Lucky break." I don't want it like that.

I'm gonna whip you, Sayers.

But you gotta be at your best, or it won't mean a thing.

You're not gonna be one second slower or one degree weaker.

I am gonna work your tail off to get that leg back in shape...

...for my sake. You got that?

Now for sports. In Los Angeles, the Chicago Bears trimmed the Rams...

...by a score of 17-16.

Quarterback Jack Concannon was 8 for 14 passing...

...and the running game was ably manned by Brian Piccolo...

...who gained 105 yards in 14 carries.

Piccolo was awarded the game ball.

Also on the West Coast, the San Francisco 49ers...

- Hello? - Dr. Fox? This is Brian Piccolo.

- How's he doing? - Pretty well, Brian, I think.

Though it's boring going through those exercises by yourself.

It's drudgery and it's painful.

A lot of people give up when they're alone in that situation.

Four. That's good, babe.

Five.

No way.

Now don't bone me, man, come on.

Hang tough. Five more and that's it for the night.

Five more. Come on, get tough.

That's six.

Seven.

Get it up. Eight.

No way. No way.

- I can't. - Can't make it?

Nigger. Chicken nigger.

Pic, don't make me laugh, please!

"I know what I'll do. I'll call Gale a nigger...

...and he'll do all them reps. He'll be so mad."

It's too much!

Nigger, nigger!

Lay off. What am I supposed to do, call you a wop?

Now that would make me mad.

What are you guys doing?

You wouldn't believe it, baby...

...but Brian tried to call me a nigger!

First man to the stand for a beer?

- All right? - You're on.

I think I owe you a beer.

I think...

...I owe you a lot more than that.

Two beers, please.

You're healthy.

You think training camp is some kind of a country club?

Is that what you think?

Because no man's assured of a job around here.

And if you think you are, you've got another thing coming.

Get them up!

Get them up! Get them up!

Come on, Pic. Come on, Pic. Get them up.

Come on, Billy, lift them up.

Come in.

- Hey, Brian. - Oh, hello, coach.

- Mind if I come in? - Oh, no, not at all.

Gale, how's the knee?

Fine. Real strong.

Excuse me, coach, if you want to talk to Gale here, I'll just...

No, actually I want to talk to the both of you.

Well, how things look this year, coach?

Good. Real good.

Matter of fact, there's one boy I'm very impressed with.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him replace you as number two halfback.

Because I'm gonna make you number one fullback.

Hey, Pic! You and me, starting backfield. What do you say?

Coach, I didn't think it was possible...

...but you finally found a way to shut him up.

Touchdown, Piccolo.

Sixty yards and a touchdown for Gale Sayers.

- Hey, Pic? - Yo.

You know you got a 4.3 rushing average?

No, but hum a few bars, and I'll see if I can fake it.

Oh, Pic!

Touchdown, Piccolo.

Two hundred and forty-one.

Holloway.

Holloway: 251.

- Piccolo. - Big Abe.

Scrimmage gonna teach us new trick plays?

Only trick I'd give you is how to keep meat on. You're down another pound.

What's there is all choice.

2061/4. Skinniest fullback in the league.

What's the matter with you? You sweat all the fat off of us...

...then complain we're too thin. You're hard to please.

Get out of here.

Sayers.

Tell your Italian buddy to load up on the pasta.

Maybe he wants to be quicker.

Ten pounds lighter. A half a second slower in a 40-yard sprint.

It ain't working.

Come on, Brian, hit that hole! Hit it!

What's wrong with you, Piccolo?

Listen, Gale, is he really hurting? He's gotta move.

He's not hitting!

Come on, baby, we gotta get it!

Come on, baby, come on!

- Nice block. - Thanks.

There must be 90 million pounds of pollen in the air.

You ought to get Dr. Fox to give you something for that hay fever.

He did. The only thing I'm allergic to is Nitschke.

Come on, stick it in their ear!

Good game.

Looking at you...

...l'd never know we won the game.

I don't feel very much like a winner about now.

Why not?

Gale, I'm sending Brian Piccolo back to Chicago.

He's not gonna finish the road trip with us.

Ralph Kurek's gonna start next week.

But why?

Because I've always had a policy on this team from the start.

Best players play. No exceptions.

Right now, Kurek's the best player.

A lot of guys take a while to get started.

And Piccolo's never been one of those guys.

He's always been in shape. Willing to give 100%.

He's not doing that anymore, and that's what worries me.

I don't know what it is.

Could be something physical...

...or it might be an emotional disturbance.

Something with his wife, children...?

Pic? Come on!

Something's taken the edge off him.

And I gotta find out what that something is.

For his sake, as well as the team's.

- When's he gonna find out? - Abe's telling him now.

That's why I didn't want you to go back to the hotel right away.

I wouldn't wanna be in Abe's shoes right now.

I wouldn't wanna be in your shoes in 10 minutes.

Who'd believe it? I mean, really, who'd believe it?

- Halas wants you to see the doctor. - Halas don't know what he wants.

Gibron's his boy. You should have heard that lecture.

Wants me to patch things up with Joy.

I say, "Things are fine with me and Joy."

He just smiles that Father Flanagan smile of his...

...and says I shouldn't be afraid to level with him.

Dear Abby in a jockstrap.

Pic, be fair.

Dr. Fox says that...

Don't give me no crud about our great doctor.

Wants me to get a physical for the cough. No allergy.

"What is it?" I say. He says:

"Well, it could be a virus.

Could be a staph infection or any one of a thousand things."

Like being treated in a damn Chinese restaurant.

Two from Column A, three from Column B.

He's just trying to help.

I guess you're right.

It's all so pointless, Gale.

I mean, I know perfectly well what's wrong with me.

I think I'm pregnant.

Coach, which end of the field you want me to take if we lose the toss?

Come in, Gale. Close the door.

We just got a call from the hospital.

Brian Piccolo has cancer.

Oh, God.

They've scheduled an operation for tomorrow morning.

An operation to do what?

They're gonna have to remove part of Brian's right lung.

The doctors have no explanation.

It's something that Brian carried around inside him all his life.

What kicked it off? They don't know.

Whether or not they got it in time...

...l'm afraid they don't know that either.

Who's gonna tell them?

I'll tell them.

No.

I'll tell them.

You, Gale?

That's right, me.

I'll tell them.

Let's go.

May I have your attention a minute, fellas?

Come on over here.

Gale has something he wants to say to you.

You all know that...

...we hand out a game ball to...

...the outstanding player.

Well, I'd like to change that.

We just got word...

...that Brian Piccolo is...

...sick, very sick.

And it looks like...

...he might never play football...

...again.

Or for a long time.

I think we should dedicate ourselves...

...to give our maximum effort to win this game...

...and give the game ball...

...to Pic.

We can all sign it...

...and take it up...

...to the hos...

Oh, my God.

Fantastic! Could you believe it?

Sayers, I mean, you've got some moves on the field, but in a locker room...

...you are one big klutz.

Now listen to me.

Listen now.

When you dedicate a game to someone...

...you are then supposed to go out and win it, idiot.

Pat O'Brien never said, "Let's blow one for the Gipper."

Man, you are so bad.

We would have won if Concannon called that trap play...

...but he hates to call it without you in there for the repeat.

- Here, Gale. - Thank you.

Beats ham hocks, don't it?

Anybody wanna see my scar?

- Out! - What's matter?

Out, now! No discussion, out.

We just got here!

See you later, guys. Thanks for coming.

- You just gonna lay there? - J.C., hang on to this, will you?

Later, Pic.

Take Gale down and have him give that little girl his autograph.

A little girl I met the day I came in...

...had her operation the same day I did.

Told her I'd give her your autograph.

You don't mind, do you?

No problem. I'll be glad to.

All right. Take off.

- It's time now, Mrs. Piccolo. - Thank you.

I'll be right back.

Won't you?

May I help you?

My name is Mrs. Piccolo.

My husband's a patient on the third floor...

...and he told me about a little girl, Patti Lucas...

...who wanted this gentleman's autograph.

Mrs. Piccolo, Patti isn't with us anymore.

- Do you have a home address? - Mrs. Piccolo, Patti...

My husband wanted her to have the autograph very much.

Come on.

Mrs. Piccolo, Patti's dead.

She passed away early this morning.

Nothing wrong with that knee, I tell you.

Congratulations, Dr. Piccolo.

Do you know what, Joy?

I've been thinking.

What with Gale healthy, and Ralph Kurek healthy...

...l'm gonna have a tough time getting back in that lineup next year.

So I was thinking...

...what's so difficult about being a kicker?

I just wonder if it's something you can teach yourself.

Because you don't need a great amount of wind...

...or stamina or size.

What do you think of my brainstorm, old Gloomy Gus?

Well, I don't know, Brian. I'm no expert on kickers and things.

You just run an end run Red Grange would be proud of.

Don't make fun of me, Brian. I'm scared.

What of?

You can't be serious. You know perfectly well what of.

No, I don't. I swear to God, I don't, honey.

Now, look, I'm...

...no idiot.

This thing I got is bad, I know that.

It's just a detour, Joy.

I'm not gonna let it stop me.

I'm just not. There's no way.

I got too much to do yet, Joy.

Pick it up. Pick it up, you dummy!

Mr. Piccolo, calm down.

Calm down? How do I calm down?

You'd think the ball was wearing a white sheet.

I was gonna catch it, but when it started coming down, I said to myself:

"I wonder what Pic would do in a situation like this."

And dropping it seemed to be the answer.

- At least you won a game. - That's right.

You didn't dedicate this one to me?

Nope. Dedicated it to Butkus.

Why?

Because he threatened us.

How are you? Seriously.

I'm hanging in there, Magic.

Just doing what they tell me to do.

Listen...

...will you do me a favor?

You got it. Name it.

Call Joy, will you?

When she left here tonight...

...she was really down. I never saw her that down.

I'll call her as soon as I get back.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Phone call for Mr. Sayers.

Lady says it's an emergency. She seemed very upset.

- I'll take it. - I hope I did the right thing.

I'm sure you did. Thank you very much.

From Joy Piccolo.

I know it's awful to ask you to come here in the middle of the night, but...

It doesn't bother us, so don't let it bother you.

Why don't you just say it?

They found more of the tumor.

They told me this morning that they want to operate again.

I was going to tell Brian...

...but I just couldn't, Gale.

I mean, I don't know whether or not he can take the disappointment.

And if he can't...

...I know I can't.

The doctor is going to tell him in the morning.

And if you could be there, Gale...

...it might help.

I'll be there, Joy.

What'd you try?

End run.

I had my linebackers in a blitz.

All right.

Well, did you gain or what?

Come in.

I'm sorry if I'm disturbing anything.

Come on in. Not at all.

I can beat him later. What can I help you with?

I know this is a bother at a time like this, Mr. Piccolo...

...but hospitals have rules and regulations, you see.

I need your signature on this.

What is it?

The doctor has been here, hasn't he? He's talked to you?

No. Why?

- I'll step back a little later. - No, wait.

What would the doctor have to say to me?

Mr. P...

Talk to me, Magic.

The tests show...

...there's more of the tumor than they thought, Pic.

They have to operate again.

So if you'll just sign this consent, Mr...

Putting this off...

I said, "No!" Are you deaf?

Mr. Sayers, can't you talk to your friend?

Mr. Eberle...

...I think I'd rather talk to you.

Brian is a professional athlete, Mr. Eberle.

A professional gets into a habit after a while.

He gets himself ready for a game...

...mentally as well as physically.

Because he knows those two things are all tied up together.

And there's a clock inside...

...and when the game starts...

...he's 100% mentally and physically.

And what Brian is saying...

...is that you're scheduling the game before he can get ready.

Couldn't it wait until over the weekend?

Yes, it could...

Then let it.

First thing Monday morning, Mr. Piccolo.

I'll see you then.

Thanks, Magic.

No sweat.

Looks like I scored a touchdown.

Mr. Piccolo, we're gonna put you to sleep now.

That could be...

...the worst choice of words I've ever heard in my life.

The winner of this year's George S. Halas Most Courageous Player award:

Gale Sayers.

I'd like to say a few words about a guy I know, a friend of mine.

His name is Brian Piccolo...

...and he has the heart of a giant...

...and that rare form of courage which allows him to kid himself...

...and his opponent.

Cancer.

He has the mental attitude...

...which makes me proud to have a friend who spells out courage...

...24 hours a day, every day of his life.

Now you flatter me...

...by giving me this award.

But I say to you, here and now...

...Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive...

...the George S. Halas award.

It's mine tonight...

...and Brian Piccolo's tomorrow.

I love Brian Piccolo.

And I'd like all of you to love him too.

And tonight, when you hit your knees...

...please ask God to love him.

Hi, Magic.

How you doing, Pic?

I'm hanging in there.

I heard what you did at...

...that banquet last night. If you were here I'd kiss you.

I'm glad I'm not there, then.

Hey, Gale, they...

...tell me you gave me a pint of blood. Is that true?

Yep.

That explains it then.

Explains what?

I've had this craving for chitlins all day.

I'll be there tomorrow.

See you then.

All right.

I ain't going anywhere.

How is he, Linda, really?

Hurry, Gale. Please hurry.

Brian, Gale's here.

Hello, Black Magic.

You're so bad.

A racist, that's all you are.

Just a bigot from head to toe.

You better believe it, man.

How you doing, Pic?

It's fourth and eight...

...and they won't let me punt.

Go for it, then.

I'm trying, Gale.

Jesus, God, I'm trying.

Remember you got me with those mashed potatoes?

You deserved it.

The way you sang that dumb fight song.

And that 32-trap play.

Remember?

I'm gonna...

...get you next training camp.

I'm gonna get you.

I'll be waiting.

I'm feeling a little...

...punk.

So I think I'll...

...try to get some sack. Okay?

I'll see you tomorrow.

If you say so.

I love you, Brian.

I love you.

Who'd believe it, Joy?

Who'd ever believe it?

Brian Piccolo died of cancer at the age of 26.

He left a wife and three daughters.

He also left a great many loving friends...

...who miss him and think of him often.

But when they think of him, it's not how he died that they remember...

...but rather how he lived.

How he did live.