Joy Piccolo remarried three years after Brian’s death and she and husband Rick O’Connell continue to work tirelessly for the foundation. She is president of the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Foundation, founded after the death of 26-year-old Piccolo on June 16, 1970.

How long did Brian Piccolo live after his cancer diagnosis?

Remembering Piccolo 50 years after his passing

The fullback/running back passed away due to embryonal cell carcinoma on June 16, 1970 at the age of 26 after playing four seasons with the Bears.

Did Joy Piccolo and Gale Sayers remain friends?

Truth be told, Sayers and Piccolo were close during their time together on the Bears — they were the first interracial roommates in NFL history — but not best friends. Piccolo’s wife, Joy Piccolo O’Connell, said her husband’s friendship with Sayers was “a small part of Brian’s life.”

Is Joy Piccolo alive?

Joy Piccolo O’Connell has seemingly lived two lives. She is president of the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, founded soon after the 26-year-old Piccolo died on June 16, 1970.

Where is Brian Piccolo’s wife now?

Joy married Rich O’Connell, the owner of a ready-mix concrete company, three years after Brian passed away. In the present day, Joy lives outside Chicago and Marco Island with her husband. She is still actively involved with the Piccolo Foundation, which raises millions of dollars for cancer research.

Who paid for Brian Piccolo’s hospital bills?

It was Halas who paid for all of Brian’s medical bills and the family’s peripheral expenses, Halas who honored the remainder of Piccolo’s contract, Halas who paid for the funeral, and Halas who set up college funds for Lori, Traci and Kristi. Halas even had a hand in making sure Joy kept her house.

Who is Brian Piccolo’s wife?

Following his spectacular senior season, Piccolo married his high school sweetheart, Joy Murrath, on December 26, 1964.

What were Brian Piccolo’s last words?

Brian Piccolo’s last words were, “Can you believe it, Joy? Can you believe this s***?” As talented a player as Gale Sayers was, he never played in a post-season game, as the Bears didn’t reach the playoffs at any point during his professional career.

Did Brian Piccolo’s wife remarry after he died?

Joy Piccolo remarried three years after Brian’s death and she and husband Rick O’Connell continue to work tirelessly for the foundation. She is president of the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Foundation, founded after the death of 26-year-old Piccolo on June 16, 1970.

How true is Brian’s Song?

In Real Life: Although “Brian’s Song” is based on a chapter in Gale Sayers’ “I Am Third,” Sayers never claims that he and Piccolo were as close as the movie suggests. Sayers says they came to like each other very much, were good friends, and did hang out together.

Who raised Piccolo?

They grew close, but Piccolo is more like a big brother or uncle to Gohan. Goku however actually did raise him. The only times he wasn’t around was when he was dead, and one relatively short period of time when he was mastering a technique in space.