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Brian Piccolo: A Short Season

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Although it has been awhile since I have read this book I have read it several times. The book has a gripping storyline. A Short Season draws young, male readers at first because of it's connection with professional sports. Then, it would draw readers in because of the main plot. How does a professional athlete who is in the prime of life, and those around him, deal with the devastating disease that is cancer ?

The several subplots that exist are good too. Athough Brian's Song is very good, Brian Piccolo:A Short Season gives the reader a true glimpse of who Piccolo REALLY was; both before and after his time with the Chicago Bears. Another subplot that comes out even more so in this book is the respect and honest love Piccolo and Gayle Sayers had for each other. Also, there is the subplot that explores the relationship Piccolo had with his physically challenged sister-inlaw, Carol. The latter two subplots were extreemly rare in the early 70s ( when this book was originally written ) and are extreemly important examples for our world today.

Brian Piccolo: A Short Season was marvelously written by Brian's close friend, Jeannie Morris. This book gives the readers a detailed view into his existence while still being discrete enough for the Piccolo family to remain happy with the biography/autobiography. Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo lived to be only 26 years of age, dying on June 16, 1970, from liver cancer. While his stay on this Earth was a brief and trying one, Piccolo made it count every single day. His story is of highs and lows, heroics and disappointments, comedy and despair, and, ultimately, tragedy. However, Piccolo lived his life ideally, paying tributes to various foundations while enjoying and loving life to the fullest. The book includes the entirety of this great man's life, from his young baseball-playing childhood to his record-setting career at Wake Forest College to his last days as a father, husband, and Chicago Bear. Piccolo was a spirit-lifting person among those he spent time with, before and after he was diagnosed with the fatal cancerous disease. His charm and wit grabbed his fellow players, his coaches, and, most importantly, the general public. While `Pic' started only a handful of games for the Bears, he rarely if ever complained despite a burning desire to play the game he loved so dearly. Piccolo was a favorite among Chicago Bears fans, and although he backed up the legendary Gale Sayers, his team-first attitude and love for the game kept him afloat until that day when the prospect of a lifetime would arise and give him the opportunity to start. Even on his deathbed, Piccolo never gave up his hope for a miraculous recovery and return to the football field. After all, Brian Piccolo's heart was never the question; it was his liver which was diagnosed with cancer. Former Bears-teammate and close friend Johnny Morris summed up Pic's life in the foreword, remarking "Brian Piccolo made it to the top at 26."

This book was largely like the movie "Brian's Song" about Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. Brian and Glae compete for the same position on a pro football team, then Gale gets the position. Well, along the way Gale gets hurt and discouraged, but while he is filling in for Gale, Brian helps him recover and come back to his position on the team. When Gale comes back, he gets back his old position, but Brian also starts at another one he is very successful at...Until one day. Brian becomes ill, and they discover that he has cancer. Gals stands by his friend the way his friend stood by him. It is a moving and real story.

Johnny Morris, Chicago Bears' wide receiver, writes in the Foreword, "Brian Piccolo was a friend and former Chicago Bear teammate who lost a seven-month battle against cancer. Pic was one of those 'special' people, a man with solid character and a wholesome sensitivity toward others."

This is another perspective on "Brian's Song," this time written by Jeannie Morris (wife of Johnny Morris). She and Joy Piccolo and Brian Piccolo agreed that Brian would note his thoughts and reflections for a book. After his death, Joy asked Jeannie to write that book. And this is the poignant product.

Of course, we read of the friendship of Hall of Famer Gale Sayers with Piccolo. Piccolo had been a backup until Sayers blew his knee out in a game. Then, Piccolo came to replace him for the remainder of that year. The next year, Sayers came back, but Piccolo was able to get playing time. Then, health problems emerged. A nasty form of cancer.

There are many vignettes in this book that are worth attending to. One of my favorites focus on the relationship of Dick Butkus, Hall of Fame middle linebacker, with Brian. It's rather touching, and many might be surprised to see a different side of Butkus.

This is a nice little book that gives us insight into the courage of a person facing a dire threat to his life and how he and those around him responded. Worth a read for those interested in the subject. . . .

This book is the basis for the fantastic movie 'Brian's Song', about Brian Piccolo and his battle with cancer and his friendship with Gale Sayers. Jeannie Morris was the wife of Johnny Morris, a teammate of Brian Piccolo's. She does a splendid job of balancing the football aspect, with the friendship part, with the cancer battle.
This is the story of love, of enduring, of battling. Morris tells it all in heart-warming and heart-breaking detail.
I have never met anyone who was able to watch 'Brian's Song' without crying and this book has the same effect.

This book enables the reader to empathize for Brian. He was a pro football player who battled with cancer at a time when there wasn't a lot known about cancer. Even if you don't like football you can appreciate the book for what it is. It is good for lots of ages as well. The book is good about explaining what was known about cancer at the time. It includes medical analysis of his hospital visits as well as interactions with his family and teammates.

In 1972, I was a high school football player. I had entered the season with pretty great expectations from the town and coaches.
That season proved to be something different than planned as I suffered a broken leg in the 3rd week of practices. Instead of piling up yards on the gridiron, I was left to sit on the bench with my crutches and knee high cast.
I was awash in self-pity and sorrow for the loss of my season and the chance to compete. Every game was torture and my eyes were never very far from tears.

It was after the 5th game, I sat at home brooding by the kitchen table when my dad came home from work. He laid this book in front of me. In side he had written, "At least you have next year."

I read the book. It's effect on me was both deep and profound. A person can't help but admire the courage of a man who faced what Brian faced. It changed my perspective from one of sorrow to one of "I will again."

I was lucky enough to go on and play college football. I am now a coach with 30 years experience. I have witnessed the agony of others who suffer from injury. Both of my own sons also lost season due to injury. But, it is this book and a Fall evening in 1972 that still paints the way I counsel these young athletes today.

It is a joyful book of hope in the midst of tragedy. I have a lot to thank Brain Piccolo. This book truly affected my life.

jan/10/01 I am also an athlete who has suffered many career threating injuries. Unlike Brian Piccalo i do not have a terminal disease. I can understand his determination of never wanting to quit playing the game no matter how bad he felt or how bad the news was. This goes to show one how great mind over matter really is. This book also reflects how important frienship and family really are, who will stand by you when the chips all come falling down.

I recommend this book to any athlete who suffers an injury or illness that causes one to be removed from the game. One cannot ever forget where they came from , how many lives they have touched, and who you can rely on .. Death plays a big issue in this book although it is depressing you know with cancer it is coming Brian piccalo also shares his love of the game and his friends and family.

I am too young to remember Brian Piccalo he died before i was born, he wasn't an outstanding player, no super bowl hero, just an average good athlete like me.

In books like these his memory doesn't die, but his life will be remembered in books.

We've all seen the movie "Brian Song" a hundred times. Why has the story of Brian Piccalo has survived more than three decades? Jeanne Morris provides the answers and so much more. She does a tremendous job revealing a side to Brian that so few were fortunate enough to witness. What the reader finds is that Brian Piccalo was more than a cancer patient -- He was a friend to all. Who was Brian Piccalo? Just a down to earth man who you'd welcome into your home.

This book was great, althouhg Brian had a short seson he did much with his life and the story of his firendship with Gal Sayers was great. I loved the movie, Brians song, the book, I am Third, and this book, A short Seson. Every1 should buy this book. i find his life very important on reading about.