Chapter 5 was all about the struggles and strange things that happened during the 1969 season of football for the Bears. Gale struggles with the press asking constant questions about how his knee is affecting his season and assumptions like "Let's face it, Gale Sayers is not the Gale Sayers of old." Gale knows his knee is back 100% but not everyone is so convinced. Even from time to time Gale struggles to believe it himself. One of the only people who are so confident in Gale is Dr. Fox. He reassures Gale as the season goes on and pushes him to do his best. At the end of the 1969 season, the bears had lost all but one of their games. This, to Gale, was dissapointing but it gave him a shot to show himself as good as new. Gaining over 1000 yards, and 236 carries thoughout the 1969 season, Gale had silenced the doubts about his injury. Chapter 6 is titled "Pick." This chapter was all about the friendship between Brian Piccolo. Brian was a light-hearted, always happy, down-to-earth guy. During the games, when Gale would get tired, pick was always chosen to go in for Gale. When Gale had a good game, Pick had a good game. As Brian kept filling in for Gale they almost had a telepathic connection as to when Gale was tired and it was time for Pick to go in. They ended up rooming together, which at first was a little odd for both of them since Gale was black, and Brian was white. Even though this was one of their biggest differences, it is the thing that brought them closer. Pick was diagnosed with a magiliant tumor in his lung which eventually ended his life. Even towards his last days Brian still had his great attitude which made Gale realize how dumb he was for being so selfish when he was injured. Gale won the George S. Halas award which is given to the most courageous player. He gave this award to Pick during his funeral.
Group Disscussion Summary:
During our group disscussion we talked about a couple of different topics...
- 1969 was the worst year in the Bears history for football
- Gale wanted a chance to prove himself after his knee injury
- Piccolo telling Gale that he wasn't trying his hardest
- How to learn things from a losing season
- playing sports is a TEAM effort
- many peoples lives can be affected by one person or event
- Brian reminded us of Valoree
- there is a difference between saying you live by a saying and actually living it
- bad things happen to good people
.......Thinking Question..........
Gale and Brian Piccolo had a very unusual friendship. They made fun of each other and bonded over racist jokes. What things make up a friendship? What certian things make people bond and grow together?
I think when people share a close bond with each other, as Brian and Gale did, rooming together and then going through the football, the injuries and life together, you just grow closer....I don't know what draws people together for a friendship to start, but I do know that true deep meaningful friendships are very special.
ReplyDeleteI can't answer that with one answersd, but with many. Every friendship is deifferent and they each draw eachother in different ways. I guess you should be nice toone another and start talking alot. Learning you can tell them anything and that they have your back. You can pick on eachother in a funny but friendly way and and just be yourself around them...
ReplyDeleteWith a friendship is really hard to make up after someone did something bad enough that you don't want to be friends with them anymore. There are many different friendship and they come and go, but sometimes they never stay. The way friends grow and bond together is by being able to talk about anything with each other and not getting mad.
ReplyDeleteI think that being honest with eachother is a very important part of any relationship. Also I think not judging eachother over the mistakes the other person makes is a key part of a friendship. Going through diffucult times with a good friend can instantly bond the both of you together. Making it through the good times and the bad times with eachother and knowing that you both will be there for one another is excellent for a life-lasting friendship.
ReplyDeleteI think friendship is made from being yourself around others and just having fun with other poeple. Sometimes you can't really explain how you became friends but sometimes it just happens.I think when you experience good and bad things with eachother you are more easily to bond with eachother.
ReplyDeleteTo me, the things that make up good, long lasting friendships are the simplest. Being able to be yourself no matter what, is important. I also think that being able to have fun with each other in any situation is essential. But the most crucial thing is to understand each other and be there for one another when needed. I think a random moment of laughter is the thing that make people bond instantly.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there a certain things that define a friendship. With people there is just something that clicks between them. There are plenty of rough times throughout a friendship, but it'll eventually work itself out through time. I know its eaiser for me to get along with someone when they're open and honest. Not backstabbing and two faced.
ReplyDelete