LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — The Bears on Tuesday named running back David Montgomery and linebacker Jack Sanborn as the winners of the Brian Piccolo Award, which honors those who best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Piccolo. The award is voted on by teammates.
Montgomery was named the Bears' veteran winner, while Sanborn was the rookie winner. Bears running backs coach David Walker accepted the award on behalf of Montgomery, who signed a three-year deal with the Lions in free agency in March.
Montgomery is a two-time winner of the award after also being selected as a rookie in 2019. He played 60 games over four seasons with Chicago, which included him rushing for 801 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games last season.
Sanborn was present to accept the award during a Tuesday morning ceremony at Halas Hall. He played in 14 games and started in six, recording 64 tackles, five tackles for a loss and two sacks. He joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
“It’s incredibly special," Sanborn said of the honor. "I mean, the guys that you go through every day with, they see you the most of anyone, and then they're the ones that vote you in something. Any award that’s voted on by your teammates, by the players, holds more weight.”
The Piccolo Award is presented annually to a veteran and rookie who best exemplify the qualities of Piccolo, a beloved running back for the Bears who died of embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, at the age of 26 in 1970.
The Bears honored Piccolo last June during the team's veteran minicamp with each player wearing his No. 41 during practice.
The Bears welcomed members of the Piccolo family and past winners of the award to their ceremony Tuesday. Virginia McCaskey, the team's matriarch, was present in the first row.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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