Why Every Bears Player Is Wearing No. 41 at Practice Thursday

The Bears paid homage to one of the franchise’s greatest figures ahead of their final minicamp practice Thursday.

Chicago shared a video of the entire 90-man roster warming up while wearing No. 41 jerseys, an ode to running back Brian Piccolo on the anniversary of his tragic passing 52 years ago. Piccolo, a Wake Forest star who played four seasons with the Bears, died in 1969 at the age of 26 after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer known as embryonal cell carcinoma.

The Bears’ tribute adds to the long history associated with Piccolo’s legend in the more than five decades since his untimely death. His well-documented bond with star back Gale Sayers remains one of…