Filed from the Frozen Tundra — by BR⚡️AN, BoltShirts.com Field Correspondent
Before Brian Daboll. Before Brian Urlacher.
Before Brian Gutekunst, Brian Callahan, and the 2025 Brian Draft Shutout…
There was one Brian who stood tall.
Brian Piccolo.
Undrafted out of Wake Forest in 1965.
Signed by the Chicago Bears.
Made the team.
Shared a backfield with Gale Sayers.
And in that moment, the Brian Era began.
Then Piccolo’s story takes a very heartfelt, very tragic turn.
Like, Hollywood-level cry-your-face-off tragic.
So, to be clear:
-
Do we still love Brian Piccolo?
Absolutely. -
Is he still the blueprint for all future Brians and Bryans?
Yes — but maybe emotionally complicated now. -
Would we still draft him #1 overall in the All-Brian Fantasy League?
Without hesitation.
