Those of a certain age saw the made-for-TV movie "Brian's Song", the 1971 tear-jerking biopic of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers' friendship when the two were teammates with the Chicago Bears and Sayers made a poignant and emotional speech after he was chosen for a national courage award.
It was the George Halas Award, awarded annually by the Pro Football Writers Association to the "NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed."
I thought about that moment this week when the PFWA named Houston wide receiver John Metchie III as this year's recipient. The 44th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Metchie missed his rookie season to undergo treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia.
But the Texans' second-year wide receiver fought his way back in 2023 to play 16 games and catch 16 passes for 158 yards. He also had three receptions for 44 yards in Houston's 45-14 shellacking of Cleveland in the playoffs.
Metchie is the 56th recipient of the Halas award. Sayers was the second. One difference: Instead of accepting the award, Sayers gave it to Piccolo -- saying his friend showed more courage in his fight against cancer than Sayers did to overcome a serious knee injury to lead the NFL in rushing.
"Brian Piccolo has never given up," Sayers said when given the award. "He has the heart of a giant, and that rare form of courage that allows him to kid himself and his opponent - cancer. He has the mental attitude that makes me proud to have a friend who spells out the word 'courage' 24 hours a day, every day of his life.
“You flatter me by giving me this award, but I tell you here and now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. Brian Piccolo is the man who should receive the George S. Halas Courage Award. It’s mine tonight, but tomorrow it’s Brian Piccolo’s. I love Brian Piccolo, and I'd like all of you to love him, too.
"Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.”
1970 — Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears
1971 — Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints
1972 — Jimmy Johnson, San Francisco 49ers
1973 — Mike Tilleman, Atlanta Falcons
1974 — Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears
1975 — Rocky Bleier, Pittsburgh Steelers
1976 — Billy Kilmer, Washington Redskins
1977 — Tom DeLeone, Cleveland Browns
1978 — Pat Fischer, Washington Redskins
1979 — Bert Jones, Baltimore Colts
1980 — Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys
1981 — Rolf Benirschke, San Diego Chargers
1982 — Joe Klecko, New York Jets
1983 — Eddie Lee Ivery, Green Bay Packers
1984 — Ted Hendricks, Los Angeles Raiders
1985 — John Stallworth, Pittsburgh Steelers
1986 — Gary Jeter, Los Angeles Rams
1987 — William Andrews, Atlanta Falcons
1988 — Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
1989 — Karl Nelson, New York Giants
1990 — Tim Krumrie, Cincinnati Bengals
1991 — Dan Hampton, Chicago Bears
1992 — Mike Utley, Detroit Lions
1993 — Mark Bavaro, Cleveland Browns
1994 — Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
1995 — Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins
1996 — Larry Brown, Dallas Cowboys
1997 — Jim Harbaugh, Indianapolis Colts
1998 — Mark Schlereth, Denver Broncos
1999 — Dan Reeves, Atlanta Falcons
2000 — Bryant Young, San Francisco 49ers
2001 — Kerry Collins, New York Giants
2002 — Garrison Hearst, San Francisco 49ers
2003 — Robert Edwards, Miami Dolphins
2004 — Sam Mills, Carolina Panthers
2005 — Mark Fields, Carolina Panthers
2006 — Tony Dungy, Indianapolis Colts
2007 — Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
2008 — Kevin Everett, Buffalo Bills
2009 — Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2010 — Mike Zimmer, Cincinnati Bengals
2011 — Mike Heimerdinger, Tennessee Titans
2012 — Robert Kraft, New England Patriots
2013 — Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts
2014 — O.J. Brigance, Baltimore Ravens
2015 — Steve Gleason, New Orleans Saints
2016 — Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs
2017 — David Quessenberry, Houston Texans
2018 — Marquise Goodwin, San Francisco 49ers
2019 — Ryan Shazier, Pittsburgh Steelers
2020 — Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
2021 — Alex Smith, Washington Football Team
2022 — Ron Rivera, Washington Football Team
2023 — Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills
2024 — John Metchie III Houston Texans
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