The Bears on Tuesday honored linebacker T.J. Edwards and receiver Rome Odunze as the 2024 winners of the prestigious Brian Piccolo Award during a ceremony at Halas Hall.

The honor has been given to a Bears rookie since 1970 and was expanded in 1992 to include a veteran. Bears players vote for teammates who best exemplify the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of Brian Piccolo, a Bears running back who died from embryonal cell carcinoma on June 16, 1970, at the age of 26.

Piccolo's valiant fight against the disease and his close friendship with fellow Bears running back Gale Sayers was chronicled in the classic TV movie "Brian's Song" in 1971.

In presenting the awards, Bears coach Ben Johnson delivered a poem that he wrote "with a little outside help" about Piccolo. Here's the poem, titled "More Than a Jersey," in its entirety:

Johnson followed his poem by presenting the rookie award to Odunze. Selected by the Bears with the ninth overall pick in last year's draft out of Washington, Odunze appeared in all 17 games and caught 54 passes for 734 yards and three touchdowns. In the process, he joined Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka as the only Bears pass catchers to record at least 50 receptions and 700 yards.

"When I turn on the tape, what I see from Rome Odunze is a guy that does all the dirty work," Johnson said, looking at Odunze. "It shows up time and time again. You're at the point of attack, you're leading the charge. Didn't matter first game of the season or last game of the season, you gave it your all. You showed up time and time again.

"In terms of what the coaching staff felt about you, from the moment you arrived in Chicago, it was clear you're more than just a talented wide receiver. You're a young man with poise and purpose. Brian Piccolo was known for his selflessness and his loyalty to his teammates. Those qualities shine in Rome. He's already made an impact on the field, but more importantly he's earned the respect of the locker room full of veterans. Like Brian, Rome is deeply committed to the team, he's quick to credit others, he listens before he speaks, and he leads with his example. Every practice rep, every meeting, every moment he shows up with focus."

Odunze was honored to receive the award.

"It means a lot just hearing those stories and the rich history of this organization," he said. "To be a part of that, to be drafted to this organization, inspires me, inspires the team, inspires everybody to chase after guys like Brian Piccolo and the legacy that they leave and the things that they do off the field."

In his second season with the Bears last year, Edwards started all 17 games and ranked second on the defense with 129 tackles. He established career highs with 12 tackles-for-loss and 4.0 sacks while also registering one interception, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Edwards entered the NFL with the Eagles in 2019 as an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin and became a regular starter in his second season.

Last year when Johnson was Lions offensive coordinator, he familiarized himself with Edwards via Detroit special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, who served in the same role with the Eagles during Edwards' first two seasons with Philadelphia.

"What he told me made a lasting impression on the type of person you are," Johnson said, looking at Edwards. "He said you're a glue guy, you're one of those guys that brings everybody together, and when I watched the tape of you, that stands out first and foremost. It doesn't matter what the 40 time is, this guy plays the game the right way. There's a right way and a wrong way. This guy does it the right way. It's been a treat to watch you from afar. It's been a treat to watch you from the opposing sideline. I can't wait to join forces with you going forward. Your coaches in the past have said you're the definition of dependable. Plays with intensity, preparation and passion. But what truly sets him apart and what connects him with Brian Piccolo's legacy is his leadership, his humility and his deep respect for the team around him.

"T.J. didn't take a conventional path to NFL stardom. He went undrafted just like Brian and fought every step of the way to prove he belonged. And now not only is he a core part of the Bears defense, he's also a mentor, a tone-setter and someone his teammates look to when the game gets tough. I think the greatest compliment that you can give a player in this league is that he elevates those around him. I know that Brian Piccolo did that and I know T.J. Edwards does the same thing."

Edwards became the first Bears player to win Piccolo awards in back-to-back years since former defensive tackle Tommie Harris in 2004-05.

"Every year it's very cool our organization can come together and remember the people that came before them and honor them the right way," Edwards said. "It's truly special to be a part of this. We've talked about some of the things that Brian Piccolo exemplified. I just try to wake up every day and try to be better than I was yesterday. It's a cliché, it's a hard thing to do, but that's just how I was raised. I was raised to treat people the right way, I was raised to get into a group and try to work towards a common goal and try to elevate people around me."

Piccolo joined the Bears in 1965 as an undrafted free agent after leading the nation with 111 points and 1,044 yards rushing as a senior at Wake Forest. He was in his fifth NFL season when a chest x-ray revealed a malignancy. Piccolo passed away several months later.

Following his death, the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund was established. Proceeds were sent to the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York until 1991 when the Piccolo Fund focused its support on cancer research at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

The fund initially supported research into improved detection and treatment for embryonal cell carcinoma, the rare cancer that took Piccolo's life. After early success led to survival rates skyrocketing to 95%, the fund shifted its focus to breast cancer, which strikes hundreds of thousands of women each year.

The Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, with the support of the Bears, the NFL Foundation, Wake Forest University, the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation and many other generous donors have raised more than $10 million for cancer research.

Bears vice president Patrick McCaskey emceed Tuesday's ceremony. Bears chairman George H. McCaskey, President and CEO Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles were also in attendance.

Members of the Piccolo family on hand included Joy Piccolo O'Connell, Brian Piccolo's widow, and one of their three daughters, Traci Piccolo Dolby.

Previous winners of the Piccolo Award who also attended the event were Ted Albrecht, Roland Harper, James Thornton, Tom Waddle and Chris Zorich.

Traci and her son, Jack Dolby, both honored Virginia Halas McCaskey's memory while speaking at Tuesday's ceremony. The Bears owner, who passed away Feb. 6 at the age of 102, was an ardent supporter of the Piccolo family for decades.

"She was a dear friend to our family for more than 60 years and we will miss her always," said Traci, pausing twice to regain her composure. "Virginia and her husband, Ed, provided such support and love to my mom, to my sisters and to myself at a time that would have been otherwise truly unbearable.

"She's always been a dedicated supporter of everything that we have done in all of our efforts to raise money for cancer research in my father's name, and she has been an incredible sounding board for advice and support all these years. We are forever grateful to Virginia, the McCaskey family and the Chicago Bears for their ongoing commitment in my father's memory."