Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers who are teammates on the mid-1960s Chicago Bears and the bond established when Sayers is injured and Piccolo knows he's dying of cancer.
On its own, somewhat obvious level, Brian's Song worked. Not least in its favor were two exceptionally fine performances: James Caan as Brian Piccolo and Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers.
