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Home , Devonta Freeman, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers

2B Thursday, September 24, 2020 • Telegraph Herald • TelegraphHerald.com sports in brief Packers’ Adams unsure Sayers, Piccolo friendship lives on if he’ll play on Sunday ‘Brian’s Song’ interview from her Wisconsin home. “It was 50 years ago.” Green Bay Davante Adams said he provides lasting look The two grew close in 1968, doesn’t know yet whether he’ll be able to play Sunday into late Sayers. when Piccolo unselfishly night at New Orleans after leaving the Packers’ previous supported Sayers’ attempt game early with a hamstring injury. The to come back from the first “It’s too early to tell,” Adams said Wednesday. “It’s of several knee injuries that feeling better. I think we’re making good progress every When Bears team- eventually shortened his ca- day. But we’re just going to wait it out and see.” mates Gale Sayers and Brian reer. When Piccolo received a Adams left the Packers’ 42-21 victory over the Detroit Piccolo became roommates diagnosis of late-stage testic- Lions in the second half and didn’t practice Wednes- in 1967, the first time NFL ular cancer the following year, day. players of different colors Sayers unfailingly remained Sunday night’s Packers-Saints game features two shared accommodations on by his side. of the NFL’s most prolific receivers in Adams and New the road, it hardly looked like Piccolo lost his battle with Orleans’ Michael Thomas, but injuries could prevent a good fit. the disease in 1970, less than either guy from playing. Sayers, 24 at the time, was AP file photos a month after Sayers received Thomas missed the Saints’ 34-24 loss at Las Vegas already an established star, a Hall of Famer Gale Sayers (right), who made his mark as the league’s George S. Halas on Monday with an ankle injury. The Saints didn’t soft-spoken Black man who one of the NFL’s best all-purpose running backs and was Courage Award and gave the have practice Wednesday but were required to release generally raised his voice later celebrated for his enduring friendship with Chicago speech that became the cen- an injury report, on which they estimated that Thomas only when matters of social Bears teammate (left), has died. He was 77. terpiece of the film: wouldn’t have practiced. justice were discussed. Pic- “He has the heart of a giant Adams has 17 catches for 192 yards and two touch- colo, the same age, was white, roster. sports movies of all time. It and that rare form of courage downs through the first two games of the season. He an inveterate talker and jok- But the enduring friend- rarely resonated more than that allows him to kid himself ranks third in the NFL in catches and sixth in yards re- er who was competing with ship that formed between the it did Wednesday, following and his opponent — cancer,” ceiving. Adams had 14 receptions in a season-opening Sayers for playing time in the two became the subject of the announcement of Sayers’ Sayers said at the awards din- victory at Minnesota to tie ’s 78-year-old backfield after being undraft- “Brian’s Song,” a 1971 made- death at age 77. ner, a scene reprised in the franchise record for catches in a game. ed and clambering from the for-TV movie that remains “It just amazes me,” Joy ABC movie by actor Billy Dee Adams caught 83 passes for 997 yards and five touch- taxi squad onto the game-day one of the most popular Piccolo O’Connell said in an Williams. downs to earn a third straight invitation last year despite missing four games with a toe injury.

Dietzen rejoins Badgers roster MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin has regained offensive lineman Jon Dietzen and lost safety Reggie Pearson as the Badgers resume practices for the pandemic-delayed season. The Badgers released a roster Wednesday that didn’t in- clude Pearson but added Dietzen, who had announced in February 2019 that he was stepping away from football due to injuries. Badgers coach Paul Chryst said Pearson wasn’t cleared to play this year because of a medical issue. Chryst didn’t specify the nature of the issue impacting Pearson, whose 60 tackles as a redshirt freshman last season ranked fourth on the team. “That’s why he’s not on the roster right now, because he wouldn’t be cleared for the season,” Chryst said. “Reggie’s back. He’s in school. We still want him around.” Dietzen had started for Wisconsin at left guard in 2017 and at left tackle in 2018. He has one year of eligibility re- maining. Panthers’ McCaffery goes on IR CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers have placed Chris- tian McCaffrey on short-term injured reserve, meaning the All-Pro will miss at least three games. McCaffrey suffered a high right ankle sprain in Carolina’s 31-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday, an injury that nor- mally requires a 4 to 6 week recovery period. McCaffrey said Monday that is how long he was told he should expect to miss, but added that he hopes to be back sooner. The earliest he could return is Oct. 18 when the Panthers host the Bears. With Barkley out, Giants sign Freeman EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Two-time Pro Bowl halfback Devonta Freeman has signed with the and might play this weekend. The Giants announced the move Wednesday, a day after 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was placed on injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate liga- ment in his right knee. Freeman, who was released by the Falcons earlier this year, was at practice Wednesday. Coach Joe Judge hopes to have him ready for Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium against the (1-1). AP fi le photo In this Oct. 27, 1969 file photo, running Kansas Comet” and considered among the best open- Raiders place Incognito on IR back Gale Sayers runs for a 28-yard gain against the field runners the game has ever seen, Sayers died on The Las Vegas Raiders placed starting left guard Richie In- , in Chicago, Ill. Nicknamed “The Wednesday according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. cognito on injured reserve with an Achilles injury, the latest injury to their offensive line. Incognito left Monday night’s 34-24 win over New Or- SAYERS: leans in the first quarter with the injury that slowed him ‘One of the fi nest men’ in NFL history in practice the previous week. The Raiders then decided Continued from page 1B “We lost one of the best room assignments, they forged a bond. Wednesday to shut him down for at least three games on In 1968, Piccolo helped Sayers through a injured reserve. Incognito will be eligible to return for the administrator, businessman and philan- Bears ever and more tough rehab process while he recovered home game Oct. 25 against Tampa Bay after missing games thropist for several inner-city Chicago from a torn ligament in his right knee. against New England, Buffalo and Kansas City. youth initiatives after his pro football importantly we lost a great After Sayers returned the next season career was cut short by serious injuries person.” to become an All-Pro, he made sure his Ex-Georgia running back says to both knees. friend shared in the credit. coach manipulated him “Gale was one of the finest men in NFL , BEARS HALL OF FAME They became even closer after Piccolo ATLANTA — Former Georgia defensive back Otis Reese history and one of the game’s most ex- AND GALE SAYERS’ pulled himself out of a game early in the said he left the school because of racist treatment on cam- citing players,” NFL Commissioner Rog- TEAMMATE 1969 season because of breathing diffi- pus, and contends that coach Kirby Smart manipulated him er Goodell said. “Gale was an electrifying culties and was diagnosed with cancer. to continue playing for the Bulldogs last season after he ex- and elusive runner who thrilled fans ev- back, you had best get a hold of a film of That phase of their friendship was re- pressed his intention to transfer. ery time he touched the ball. He earned Gale Sayers. He was poetry in motion. counted first by Sayers in his autobiog- Reese transferred to Mississippi in January after two sea- his place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.” His like will never be seen again.” raphy, “I Am Third,” and then in the 1971 sons at Georgia and is awaiting a ruling from the NCAA and Sayers was a two-time All-American Butkus said he hadn’t even seen Say- movie “Brian’s Song.” Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey on at Kansas and inducted into the College ers play until a highlight film was shown With actor play- his request for a waiver to play immediately. Football Hall of Fame as well. He was at an event in New York that both attend- ing Sayers and James Caan in Piccolo’s Georgia, which is ranked fourth in the country, denied selected by Chicago with the fourth pick ed honoring the 1964 All-America team. role, the made-for-TV movie was later the allegations and said it would share its full response to overall in 1965, and his versatility pro- He said the real-life version of Sayers was released in theaters. Reese’s waiver application if he is granted permission. duced dividends and highlight-reel sla- even better. Sayers stayed by Piccolo’s side as the loms through opposing defenses right “He was amazing. I still attribute a lot illness took its toll, donating blood and BASKETBALL from the start. of my success from trying to tackle him providing support. Just days before Pic- He tied one NFL record with six touch- (in practice),” Butkus said at the Bears’ colo’s death at age 26, Sayers received Celtics’ Hayward welcomes 4th child downs in a game and set another with 100th anniversary celebration in June the George S. Halas Award for courage LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Celtics forward Gordon Hay- 22 touchdowns in his first season: 14 2019. and said: “You flatter me by giving me ward and wife Robyn are parents for a fourth time. rushing, six receiving, one punt and one “I never came up against a running this award, but I can tell you here and Robyn Hayward announced the birth of the couple’s first kickoff return. Sayers was a unanimous back like him in my whole career, as far now that I accept it for Brian Piccolo. ... son — Gordon Theodore Hayward — on Wednesday, a cou- choice for Offensive Rookie of the Year. as a halfback. And that was counting O.J. I love Brian Piccolo and I’d like all of you ple hours before the Celtics would face the Miami Heat in Sayers followed that by being voted an (Simpson) and a couple of other guys,” to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. All-Pro during the first five of his seven he added. “No one could touch this guy.” your knees, please ask God to love him.” Hayward had originally planned to leave the bubble for NFL seasons (1965-71). But he was stuck The Bears drafted them with back-to- After his playing days, Sayers served as the birth, but remained with the Celtics. He got some un- on a handful of middling-to-bad Bears back picks in ’65, taking Butkus at No. 3 athletic director at Southern Illinois Uni- planned time off earlier in Boston’s postseason run because teams and, like Dick Butkus, another and Sayers at No. 4. It didn’t take long versity-Carbondale and founded several of a sprained ankle, and spent some of that with his wife and Hall of Fame teammate selected in the for Sayers to win over veterans who had technology and consulting businesses. daughters before returning to the NBA campus. same 1965 draft, he never played in the helped the Bears take the NFL champi- Sayers made the 130-mile trip from his postseason. Sayers appeared in only 68 onship in 1963. home in Indiana to attend the opening COLLEGE ATHLETICS games total and just two in each of his “We were both No. 1s, so they’re go- ceremony of the Bears’ 100th-season cel- final two seasons while attempting to re- ing to make it hard on us and show us the ebration in June 2019, receiving a rousing Illinois Rep. backs college athlete bill turn from those knee injuries. ropes and everything else,” Butkus said. ovation. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, chairwoman of the House Com- “Will miss a great friend who helped “But Gale just ran circles around every- “It’s amazing someone that was so merce Subcommittee, is backing the College Athlete Bill of me become the player I became because body. Quickly, they adopted him.” beautiful and gifted and talented as a Rights crafted by a group of Democratic senators. after practicing and scrimmaging against The friendship between Sayers and player and later in life to have that hap- Schakowsky, D-Ill., was set Wednesday to announce her Gale I knew I could play against any- backfield mate Piccolo began in 1967, pen to you is really, I know, tough on ev- support for the legislative framework put forth by Sens. Co- body,” Butkus said. “We lost one of the when the two became unlikely room- erybody,” Hall of Fame linebacker Mike rey Booker of New Jersey and Richard Blumenthal of Con- best Bears ever and more importantly mates. Sayers was Black and already a Singletary said that weekend. necticut last month. we lost a great person.” star; Piccolo was white and had worked “It’s tough on his teammates, former The plan calls for college athletes to be permitted to earn In 1977, at age 34, Sayers became the his way up from the practice squad. Early teammates. It’s tough on the league. And money for their names, images and likenesses with “mini- youngest player inducted into the Hall of on, they were competing for playing time as a player,” Singletary concluded, “it just mal restrictions,” and much more. Fame. In presenting him at the ceremo- and carries. makes you take a step back and thank ny, Bears founder said: “If But when the club dropped its policy God every day for your own health and The Associated Press you wish to see perfection as a running of segregating players by race in hotel blessings.”