''Brian's Song'' is the 2001 remake of the 1971 television film '' Brian's Song'', telling the story of Brian Piccolo ( Sean Maher), a white running back who meets, clashes with and befriends fellow

Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) North division. The Bears have won nine NF ...

running back Gale Sayers ( Mekhi Phifer). The movie was adapted from Sayers' own words in his 1970 autobiography, ''I am Third''. The television movie, produced by Columbia TriStar Television, was first broadcast in the US on '' The Wonderful World of Disney'' on ABC. 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 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

, 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. The treatments and radiation therapy 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

* Sean Maher as Brian Piccolo * Mekhi Phifer as Gale Sayers * Paula Cale as Joy Piccolo * Elise Neal 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 ...

as Abe Gibron * Dean McDermott as Ralph Kurek * Ben Gazzara as Coach

George Halas George Stanley Halas Sr. (; February 2, 1895October 31, 1983), nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was an American professional football player, coach, and team owner. He was the founder and owner of the National Football League's Chic ...

* Michael Boisvert as Jack Concannon * Jeff Ironi as

Dick Butkus Richard Marvin Butkus (born December 9, 1942) is an American former professional football player, sports commentator, and actor. He played football as a middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to ...

* Shane Daly as Bill Filbert * Bruce Gooch as

Ed McCaskey Edward W. McCaskey (April 27, 1919 – April 8, 2003) was the chairman of the Chicago Bears. He was the husband of Bears principal owner Virginia Halas McCaskey. Military career Upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, McCaskey served ...

* 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