''Brian's Song'' is the 2001 remake of the 1971

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

Brian's Song ''Brian's Song'' is a 1971 ABC Movie of the Week that recounts the life of Brian Piccolo (James Caan), a Chicago Bears football player stricken with terminal cancer after turning pro in 1965, told through his friendship with teammate Gale Sayer ...

'', telling the story of

Brian Piccolo Louis Brian Piccolo (October 31, 1943 – June 16, 1970) was an American professional football player, a halfback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) for four years. He died at age 26 from embryonal cell carcinoma, an a ...

(

Sean Maher Sean Maher (born April 16, 1975) is an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of Simon Tam in the science fiction television series ''Firefly'' and follow-up movie '' Serenity''. Early life Maher was born in Pleasantville, New York to ...

), a white

running back A running back (RB) is a member of the offensive backfield in gridiron football. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback to rush the ball, to line up as a receiver to catch the ball, and block. Ther ...

who meets, clashes with and befriends fellow Chicago Bears running back

Gale Sayers Gale Eugene Sayers (May 30, 1943September 23, 2020) was an American professional football player who was both a halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). In a relatively brief but highly productive NFL career, Sa ...

(

Mekhi Phifer Mekhi Phifer (; born December 29, 1974) is an American actor. He portrayed Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC's long-running medical drama '' ER'' until 2008 and had a co-starring role opposite actor/rapper Eminem in the 2002 feature film '' 8 Mile''. He was ...

). The movie was adapted from Sayers' own words in his 1970 autobiography, ''I am Third''. The television movie, produced by

Columbia TriStar Television Columbia TriStar Television, Inc. (abbreviated as CTT) was an American television production and distribution company that was active from 1994 to 2002. It was operated as the third name of the early television studio Screen Gems and the fourth ...

, was first broadcast in the US on ''

The Wonderful World of Disney The Walt Disney Company has produced an anthology television series since 1954 under several titles and formats. The program's current title, ''The Wonderful World of Disney'', was used from 1969 to 1979 and again from 1991 to the present. The pr ...

'' on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

. In the movie, Piccolo is a brash rookie with the Bears. Initially thinking Sayers is arrogant – when he is only quiet and a slight bit anti-social – they rub each other the wrong way from the moment they meet. The movie, taking place from 1965 to 1970, as the

civil rights movement The civil rights movement was a nonviolent social and political movement and campaign from 1954 to 1968 in the United States to abolish legalized institutional racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement throughout the Unite ...

grows, places great emphasis on integration, bringing up the conflict of when Brian and Gale room together for their first football season.

Plot

Brian and Gale aren't friends in the beginning; in fact they are rivals. Brian, during their first season together with pro football's Chicago Bears, is always one-upped by Gale, never being in the spotlight. After the season, Brian pledges to outplay Gale and take his position on the team. During their second season, Gale is still the Bears' starting running back. After he is injured during a game and loses hope of ever playing again, Brian personally takes charge of his rehabilitation, on the basis that if Gale gives up, and Brian rises to the top, he would have made it only on a chance and not by his own prowess. The two bond during this time, soon becoming good friends and roommates. Brian is diagnosed with

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

. The treatments and

radiation therapy Radiation therapy or radiotherapy, often abbreviated RT, RTx, or XRT, is a therapy using ionizing radiation, generally provided as part of cancer treatment to control or kill malignant cells and normally delivered by a linear accelerator. Radi ...

only do so much, and every time it seems as if everything is getting better, the cancer shows up again, someplace else. Brian dies from the disease at age 26. During this time, Gale stays by his side.

Cast

Paula Cale Paula Cale (born June 2, 1970) is an American actress best known for her role as Joanie Hansen on the television series ''Providence''. Early life Cale was born Paula Korologos in Great Falls, Virginia. Her father, Tom C. Korologos, worked as a ...

as Joy Piccolo *

Elise Neal Elise Demetria Neal (born March 14, 1966) is an American actress. Her big break came with three 1997 films, appearing in ''Rosewood'', '' Money Talks'' and ''Scream 2''. From 1998 to 2002, Neal starred as Yvonne Hughley in the ABC/ UPN sitcom ...

as Linda Sayers *

Aidan Devine Aidan Devine is an English–Canadian film actor. He was born in England and immigrated with his family to Canada at the age of 15. He studied at Dawson College's Dome Theatre in Montreal, Quebec and began his acting career in Montreal. He woul ...

Abe Gibron Abraham "Abe" Gibron (September 22, 1925 – September 23, 1997) was a professional American football player and coach. Gibron played 11 seasons as a guard in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL) in the 1 ...

Dean McDermott Dean McDermott (born November 16, 1966) is a Canadian actor best known as a reality television personality with his wife, actress Tori Spelling, and as the host of the cooking competition ''Chopped Canada''. He played the role of Constable Renfi ...

Ralph Kurek Ralph Kurek (born 1943) was a player in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1970 as a running back. He played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Biography Kurek was born Ralph Elmer Kure ...

Ben Gazzara Biagio Anthony Gazzara (August 28, 1930 – February 3, 2012) was an American actor and director of film, stage, and television. He received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Drama Desk Award, in addition to nominatio ...

as Coach George Halas *

Michael Boisvert Michael "Monkey" Boisvert is a Canadian actor and choreographer. Boisvert studied business at college, but left to become a model. He later turned to acting, moving to New York City and then California to pursue work opportunities. He is a grad ...

Jack Concannon John Joseph "Jack" Concannon Jr. (February 25, 1943 – November 28, 2005) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lio ...

* Jeff Ironi as Dick Butkus * Shane Daly as Bill Filbert * Bruce Gooch as Ed McCaskey * Craig Eldrige as Dr. Beattie * Michael Miller as Dr. Fox * Shawn Lawrence as Dr. O'Conner * Erika Cohen as Nurse * Carly Marie Alves as Traci Piccolo (as Carley Marie Alves) * Janessa Crimi as Lori Piccolo * Patrick Salvagna as Brian Piccolo at 10 * Michael Birkett as Gale Sayers at 10 * Nigel Hamer as Master of Ceremonies * James Arnold as Reporter #1 * Edgar George as Reporter #2 * Howard Hoover as TV Sportscaster * Gary Fruchtman as Toastmaster * Andrea Garnett as Gale's Mother * Marvin Hinz as Brian's Father * Tony Meyler as Gale's Father

External links

* Chicago Bears Sports films based on actual events Films based on biographies Columbia Pictures films 2001 television films 2001 films American football films Biographical films about sportspeople Remakes of American films Films directed by John Gray (director) Cultural depictions of players of American football 2000s American films {{sport-film-stub