Brian's Song (1971) (TV)

In this made-for-TV sports movie, a true inspirational story about the inter-racial friendship between two football teammates:

• Gale Sayers' (Billy Dee Williams) haltingly spoken locker-room address to his fellow players on fellow Chicago Bears teammate Brian Piccolo's (James Caan) cancer, breaking down into uncontrollable sobs that caused him to prematurely end his speech: ("Uhm, you uh, all know that we hand out a game ball to the outstanding player. Well, I'd like to change that. We just got word that Brian Piccolo is - that's he's sick, very sick. And, uh, it looks like, uhm, he might never play football again, or, uh, a long time. And, I think we should dedicate ourselves to, uh, give our maximum effort to win this game and give the game ball to 'Pic'. We can all sign it. And take it up. Aw, sh -- Oh, my God")
• the tearjerking ending scene in which Gale Sayers accepted the George S. Halas Award for Courage and dedicated it to his cancer-stricken teammate Brian Piccolo: ("I'd like to say a few words about a guy I know, a friend of mine. His name is Brian Piccolo, and he has the heart of a giant and that rare form of courage which allows him to kid himself and his opponent - cancer. He has a mental attitude which makes me proud to have a friend who spells out 'courage' 24 hours a day every day of his life. Now you flatter me by giving me this award. But I say to you here and now, Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas award. It's mine tonight and Brian Piccolo's tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo. And I'd like all of you to love him, too. And tonight, (when) you hit your knees - please ask God to love him")