Have you ever seen the movie “Brian Song” ?
It’s based on the true story of the friendship between Chicago Bears running backs Gayle Sayers and Brian Piccolo. The made for TV movie was originally released in 1971 with Billy D. Williams playing Sayers and James Caan as Piccolo. The movie was re-released in 2001 with Mekhi Phifer as Sayers and Sean Maher as “Pic”.
To make a long story short ; Sayers and Pic shared a very close friendship at a time when realtionships between the races were going through changes and that endured Piccolo’s battle with cancer. In honor of Piccolo who lost his battle with the disease at the age of 26 the NFL franchise created an award in his honor. The Bears have awarded the “Brian Piccolo” award since 1970 to a rookie member of their team and in 1929 also honored a veteran player. The Award is voted on by Bears players and presented to the players who exemplify the Courage,Loyalty,dedication,teamwork and sense of humor that Piccolo shared with his teammates.
This year former North Carolina A&T running back Tarik Cohen won the rookie award and Benny Cunningham was presented the veteran honors. Cohen a rookie who only stands 5’6″ tall made an impact on the field in his first season in the league with 370 yards rushing, 353 yards in receptions and he even completed a pass for a touchdown.
Cohen who after becoming the All-Time leading rusher in Mid-Eastern Conference history while playing at A&T. Has now made his impression in the NFL off the field as well, As a matter of fact Cohen’s former head coach at North Carolina A&T always said that the Bunn, North Carolina native was always something special.
Runner.
Receiver.
Returner.
And… he was only a rookie. ?Top 10 @TarikCohen Plays of 2017! pic.twitter.com/hG43PLFHEv
— NFL (@NFL) April 16, 2018
Tarik who was selected in the fourth round of last years NFL draft is the first rookie in the league to ever record a touchdown rushing,passing,recieving and on a punt return in a season. I think his teammates have now made the statement to the rest of the League and its fans that #29 really is something special.
Trevin A Jones
Follow me on Twitter: @UMTSportsreport
