James Caan as Brian Piccolo (left)
and Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers
November 30, 1971: The ABC Tuesday Night Movie airs the film Brian's Song. Billy Dee Williams plays African-American Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers, and James Caan plays his white teammate Brian Piccolo.
While some dramatic license was taken, the story is mostly true: The two men overcome their respective biases and form a bond of friendship, first with Piccolo helping Sayers, the best running back in the game in the late 1960s, return from a devastating knee injury; then with Sayers helping Piccolo deal with the cancer that struck him, and ultimately brought his life to a close on June 16, 1970.
The film made stars of both Williams and Caan, and is often regarded as the first movie that allowed tough guys to cry.
A remake was made, airing on ABC almost exactly 30 years later, on December 2, 2001. The additional 30 years of changing sensibilities allowed some things to be filmed that couldn't be put on TV for the original. Sayers was played by Mekhi Phifer, and Piccolo by Sean Maher.
Phifer and Maher in the remake
By a coincidence, Sayers wore uniform Number 40, and Piccolo Number 41. Thus, they were given lockers next to each other. Both numbers were retired by the team.
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