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The arrival of fall means weekends attending and watching plenty of football games. Whether it's pro, college or even high school, I'm all over them. I even recently spent some time deep in the heart of Texas and was treated to a grand tour of the Dallas Cowboys new football stadium. I'm not a Cowboys fan--still holding onto the Rams--but that stadium is absolutely spectacular. It will certainly make any fan of the game who visits it, marvel and stayed psyched all season long.
And when it comes to football movies, few move me and seem to capture the essence of the game as much as the 1971 movie "Brian's Song" starring Billy Dee Williams as Chicago Bears running back, Gale Sayers and James Caan as Brian Piccolo.
"Brian's Song" is hands down my favorite football movie of all time. I can't count the number of times I've seen it, but I never get tired watching it. You can usually catch it on TV this time of year, but I still fire up the DVD to really usher in the season.
"Brian's Song" is loosely based on Sayers' autobiography, "I am Third" which chronicles his longstanding rivalry and friendship with his teammate, Piccolo who died June 16, 1970 from cancer. Piccolo was just 26-years-old.
The true to life film originally aired in 1971 as a "movie of the week" on ABC television and garnered huge ratings. It won five Emmys, including "Best Dramatic Program" of the 1971-72 season. "Brian's Song," was written by Emmy Award winning screenwriter William Blinn, ("Fame," "Roots" and "Purple Rain").
It was later released in theaters. A remake of "Brian's Song" aired on ABC's "The Wonderful World of Disney in 2001. It starred Mekhi Phifer as Sayers and Sean Maher as Piccolo. Though good, that version pales in comparison to the original.
Not only does Williams and Caan give outstanding performances, but "Brian's Song" also features an impressive supporting cast that includes: Jack Warden who plays owner/coach George "Papa Bear" Halas, Bernie Casey and even some of the actual Chicago Bears football players such as Abe Gibron, Jack Concannon, Ed O'Bradovich and Dick Butkus.
Sayers plays a reserved and talented running back who arrives at the Bears training camp and has to try out for the same position as the brash and cocky Piccolo. Although both players make the team, Sayers starts and Piccolo has to play second string to him. Despite the tension this creates, over time the two men forge a remarkable friendship. It gets truly tested when a knee injury sidelines Sayers and Piccolo discovers he's dying.
While there are many great scenes in "Brian's Song," Williams' awards tribute speech honoring Piccolo is one of the most gut-wrenching and memorable ones in the movie.
Most everyone would agree that Sayers, who was forced to retire in 1971 due to his knee injury, was one of the top running backs to ever play the game. And although Piccolo's NFL career was cut short, his zest for life and love of the game are what people remember most about him and what is so beautifully captured on film.
After 38-years, "Brian's Song" still can tug at the old heart strings. It is truly a classic sports movie.
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