Yesteday, I heard about the passing of James Caan
For most folks, James Caan's most memorable role was as Sonny Corleone in the first Godfather movie.
However, for me, the James Caan role that brought me and a roomful of Amherst College football fans to tears was his portrayal of Brian Piccolo in the classic "Brian's Song"
Back in 1971, the basement of Pratt Dormitory had one of the few television sets on campus. Many of the freshmen and some of the upperclassmen regularly convened in Pratt to watch Monday Night Football. After one of the games, the Movie of the Week aired "Brian's Song", the tearful story of the friendship between a black superstar football player, Gale Sayers, and the inspirational white role player, Brian Piccolo. The movie is arguably the greatest made for TV movie ever made.
The movie also produced a theme song that for many years thereafter would stop me in my tracks and cause me to ponder the meaning of friendship and brotherly love. Perhaps, if we listen to it again we can all ponder the meaning of friendship and brotherly love once again.
Peace,
Everett Jenkins
Fairfield, California
July 8, 2022
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