Bears honor T.J. Edwards, Rome Odunze with Brian Piccolo Award
The Bears paused from their NFL Draft preparations Tuesday to reward a pair of their current players with the Brian Piccolo Award.
The award is given annually to one Bears veteran and one rookie who best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo, who died of a rare cancer at the age of 26 in 1970. Bears players vote on the award winner.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards and receiver Rome Odunze were the 2025 recipients of the award.
Edwards is now a two-time Piccolo Award winner. It has been a great week for the Lake Villa, Illinois, native, who just inked a two-year, $20 million contract extension.
Meanwhile, the respect Odunze earned as a rookie is evident with his teammates having voted for him.
Edwards and Odunze were both proud to have earned the honor, and inspired by Piccolo.
"It means a lot, just hearing those stories and the rich history of this organization, to be a part of that, to be drafted to this organization—you know, it inspires me, it inspires the team, it inspires everybody to chase after, you know, guys like Brian Piccolo and the legacy that they leave; things that they do off the field; the things that they do off the field," said Odunze.
"I think every year, it's very cool when an organization can come together and remember the people that came before them and honor them the right way, so it's truly special to be a part of this," said Edwards. "I feel like to me, we've talked about so many things that Brian Piccolo exemplified, and you can name so many different characteristics, but for me, I just try wake up every day and try to be better than I was yesterday."
Shortly after getting the new job, new Head Coach Ben Johnson quickly found out from team Vice President Patrick McCaskey how important the annual is to the franchise. In a surprise unveiling of an unknown talent, Johnson recited a poem he wrote in Piccolo's honor, called "More Than a Jersey:"
He wore the 'C' upon his chest, not just in games but in each test.
A Bear by number, name and grace, but more than that steady face.
He wasn't picked in any round or fame, no headlines danced around his name.
Yet still he fought and still he rose a quiet strength the whole team knows.
With courage burning deep and true, he gave his all and all he do.
Not just in wins but every day he led with heart in every play.
He stood for loyalty and trust. A friend, a guide both first and just.
He showed that greatness doesn't shout, but lifts others up, day in and day out.
His life is marked by dedication, a model for each generation.
Each practice moment, snap and stride, he gave the game his soul and pride.
When illness came, he met the storm with strength that moved beyond the norm.
And though his race was far too brief, he left behind a bold belief.
That love is real and brotherhood, that fighting back is doing good.
That joy and grit can coexist, that every name deserves a list.
Today we see his spirit rise and steadfast hands and through his eyes.
And though he is gone, his story grows, a legacy that never slows.
