Brian Piccolo is a former NFL player. He left a lasting legacy through his daughters, Traci, Lori, and Kristi. They uphold his memory via the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. They continue carrying forward their father’s impactful contributions by supporting cancer research. They have maintained privacy in their private lives.
Brian Piccolo was an American professional football player. He was a halfback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for four years.
Brian Piccolo has three daughters with his wife Joy Murrath, Traci, Lori, and Kristi.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Louis Brian Piccolo |
| Famous As | Former American professional football player |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 26 years at the time of death |
| Date of Birth | October 31, 1943 |
| Place of Birth | Pittsfield, Massachusetts, United States |
| Date of Death | June 16, 1970 |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Spouse | Joy Murrath |
| Children | Traci Piccolo DolbyLori Piccolo BrunoKristi Piccolo. |
| Parents | Joseph Piccolo and Irene Piccolo |
| Net Worth | $50 Thousand |
Who is Brian Piccolo?
Brian Piccolo was a professional football career. He spent four years as a halfback for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League.
He was known for his talent on the field and his close friendship with fellow player Gale Sayers.
Despite his short life, Brian Piccolo’s legacy lives on. This is seen through the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and the annual Brian Piccolo Award.
When Brian Piccolo and Joy Murrath Meet
Brian Piccolo and Joy Murrath were high school sweethearts. They married on December 26, 1964, in front of their family and loved ones.
Just like every other married couple, they had their ups and downs but shared a deep love for each other. The couple remained married until Piccolo died in 1970.
How many Childrens does Brian Piccolo have?
Brian Piccolo has three daughters from his ex-wife Joy Murrath. His daughters are Traci Piccolo Dolby, Lori Piccolo Bruno, and Kristi Piccolo.
Traci Piccolo Dolby
Traci Piccolo Dolby is the daughter of the late American football player Brian Piccolo. She was born in 1967 and has been actively involved in preserving her father’s legacy.
Traci has spoken at various events, sharing stories about Brian Piccolo and the impact he had both on and off the field.
She is involved in honoring her father’s memory and supporting cancer research. Dolby has showcased her dedication to continuing his legacy.
She is a private individual and apart from this, there is no information available about her personal and professional life.
Lori Piccolo Bruno
Lori Piccolo Bruno is one of the three children of the late footballer Brian Piccolo.
Despite being a celebrity child, she is a highly private individual and has stayed out of the limelight all her life.
Therefore, there is no further information available about her personal or professional life.
Kristi Piccolo
Kristi Piccolo is the daughter of the late American football player Brian Piccolo. She was born in 1968 in the United States of America. Kristi is 56 years old as of 2024.
Kristi graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s degree in General Arts and Sciences.
She works for The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Kristi along with her mother and sisters raises awareness and funds for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund.
The Diagnosis of Testicular Cancer
Brian Piccolo faced a formidable battle with testicular cancer in 1969. He was diagnosed with a rare form of testicular cancer called embryonal cell carcinoma.
Piccolo started experiencing severe coughing and difficulty breathing upon check the doctors found a tumor the size of a grapefruit in his mediastinum, situated behind the sternum, with additional spread to his lung.
He was admitted to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York where the doctors began his treatment.
The surgeons removed the tumor and part of his lung but despite the initial success, the cancer reappeared in Brian’s chest wall four months later.
TV Film “Brian’s Song”
Brian Piccolo’s journey inspired millions, especially after the airing of the TV film “Brian’s Song.”
The film is a touchy tale that mainly focuses on the bond between the professional football players Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo.
The film recounts the journey of these two athletes as they navigate their lives on and off the field. It portrays how their friendship was affected after Piccolo was diagnosed with a fatal disease.
“Brian’s Song” was originally aired in 1971 but the film was later remade in 2001.
The original film starred James Caan as Brian Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers, while the 2001 remake featured Sean Maher as Piccolo and Mekhi Phifer as Sayers.
The film is celebrated to this day for its heartfelt portrayal of friendship, resilience, and the impact of terminal illness on those affected.
Gale Sayers Paid Tribute to Brian Piccolo
Piccolo’s close friend and teammate, Gale Sayers, paid tribute to him at the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award ceremony in May 1970.
He declined to accept the honor and dedicated it to Brian Piccolo. Sayers also urged others to cherish his friend’s memories and to pray for him.
Gale Sayers’s Death
Gale Sayers passed away on September 23, 2020, at the age of 77. Brian Piccolo’s daughter Lori Piccolo remembered Gale Sayers by saying “When I saw the alert on my phone Wednesday morning that Gale Sayers had died, I felt a pit grow in my stomach.
I knew he had been battling dementia for three years, but it still brought on a sadness I didn’t expect.
If the NFL lost a legend, one of the greatest running backs of all time, my family and I lost one of the last people to know my father.
Sayers was one of many to keep his memory alive in the 50 years since they were roommates on the Chicago Bears.”
The Brian Piccolo Award
The Brian Piccolo Award is a high-standing award in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The award celebrates the athletes who show courage, sportsmanship, and determination.
The honor was established in 1970, the same year as Brian Piccolo’s death. The award’s first recipient was guard Glen Holloway, a rookie.
In 1992, the award expanded to honor both a rookie and a veteran player each year.
Some of the notable athletes who won the award are Tarik Cohen, Benny Cunningham, Zach Miller, Matt Forte, Brian Urlacher, Tom Waddle, Kevin Butler, Mike Singletary, and Dan Hampton.
The Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund
The Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund is based in Chicago, Illinois. It is dedicated to the advancement of cancer treatment and research.
The fund was established in 1970 in loving memory of Brian Piccolo. It initially focused on embryonal cell carcinoma but later also started supporting breast cancer research.
The fund has provided nearly $10 million for improved diagnostic tools and treatments.
It has partnered with institutions like Rush University Medical Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute.
Additionally, it has raised over $5 million for cancer treatment and research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
Brian Piccolo’s Death
Despite his determination to continue playing football and his positive outlook, Piccolo’s cancer spread to other organs, particularly his liver, leading to his passing on June 16, 1970.
He was only 26 years old at the time of his death. Piccolo’s death was a tragic loss, but his legacy lives on through the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund.
His team, the Chicago Bears honored him by retiring his jersey number 41.
Where are Brian Piccolo’s Daughters Today?
Brian Piccolo’s daughters, Kristi, Lori, and Traci, have largely kept their lives private. There is limited public information available about their current endeavors.
However, we do know that they have continued to honor their father’s legacy through the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund.
Additionally, they may be involved in philanthropic activities or pursuing careers outside of the public eye. Overall, they have chosen to maintain a level of privacy regarding their personal lives.