During these difficult days recently as racial injustice has been in the spotlight of American culture, Montgomery found himself thinking of the friendship between Piccolo and Gale Sayers -- how a white man and black man shared such a remarkable bond during times of racial tension in the 1960s.
Montgomery on Tuesday was recognized as one of the Bears' two recipients of the Brian Piccolo Award, given to a rookie and veteran in the organization who "best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo." Defensive lineman Nick Williams, now a member of the Lions, was the Bears' veteran recipient for 2019.
It's an honor especially meaningful for Montgomery.
"It’s amazing and it’s humbling to know that me -- little old me, from Cincinnati, Ohio, a kid that struggled in impoverished situations and who didn’t have everything and his family didn’t have a lot of stuff -- kind of just made it to happen," Montgomery said of the honor. "To have my name in the same sentence as Mr. Piccolo, I kind of sit back and reminisce over it because it’s definitely a great honor and achievement. When I get to grow up and tell my kids that one of the greatest things to happen to me is going to be receiving this award.
"As you look into the stuff that’s happening today and everyday situations, through the police brutality and the racial accusations all over, we kind of just got to look back and understand that there’s good people out there. Two opposites can attract. Diversity is nothing but a mere thought or a mere image. There’s nothing color-based. It shouldn’t be controlled by the pigment of your skin.
"To see that Mr. Gale and Mr. Piccolo were great roommates — and, beyond that, great friends and great human beings — is what I want to be able to tell my kids, that I was like that, and they taught me how to be that, and I was able to receive this award."
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Montgomery was recognized Tuesday, the 50th anniversary of Piccolo's death to cancer in 1970. Piccolo was just 26 years old when he passed away.
The award has been given annually since 1970, first only to rookies before being extended to a team veteran in 1992 as well. Williams was the Bears' veteran recipient of the award. He signed a two-year deal with the Lions in March.
"When I found out I was receiving the Brian Piccolo Award, it was a huge honor," Williams said in a statement. "It exemplifies teamwork, courage, loyalty, dedication and just a sense of humor. Having a sense of humor is something that stuck with me throughout the locker room. I’ve always cracked jokes with guys and tried to look on the bright side of things. When things may not have been going our way, I tried to lift them up, especially the defensive line room. I think being a locker room guy exemplifies the award and it’s a huge honor for me to even join this list of guys. Even one of the most recent winners, Akiem Hicks, one of my good friends. I know what type of player and teammate he was. It’s just a huge honor.”
Montgomery accepted the award in a video teleconference ceremony while parked in his car outside a local park, where he and Bears teammates were preparing for private workouts.
"I'm just going into this second year more clear-minded," Montgomery said. "More focused than ever and ready to help this organization win a Super Bowl."