The Bears paid their annual tribute to Brian Piccolo in front of their matriarch Tuesday.
Virginia McCaskey, who turned 101 in January, was in the front row at Halas Hall for the presentation of the award — which honors Bears players who show courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and good humor — to linebacker T.J. Edwards and right tackle Darnell Wright.
Her car, adorned with its usual “Pray the Rosary” bumper sticker, was parked in its regular spot near a statue of her father — and Bears founder — George Halas. She used a walker and greeted well-wishers.
Last month, she attended the Ed Block Courage Award luncheon in Des Plaines, where the Bears feted linebacker Jack Sanborn.
McCaskey, who’s technically the secretary of the Bears’ board of directors, is the longest-tenured NFL owner. She has been alive for all but 28 of the Bears’ 810 victories since the franchise was founded in 1920.
The Brian Piccolo Award is named in honor of their former running back, who died of cancer in 1970 at age 26.
