Brian's Song
By: William Blinn
1. physical description of the character: An Italian Immigrant. When trying out for the Chicago Bears football team, one coached committed Brian by saying," He was too small and slow to play professional football because he lacked in size and speed."By: William Blinn
2. personality of character: Brain didn't care if you were popular or not, dressed nice or not. He looked at you for who you were, not by trying to be something your not. His friend and once enemy, Gale Sayers, helped lift him through the hard times in life. When Gale Sayers and Brian were asked to room together being the first t interracial roommate, already being enemies Brain only thought of rooming together as a good experience, never doubting the fact that he was white and Gale was black. He was a brash man with a courageous heart. He loved the game of football and fought for perfection. Even at the lowest point of his life, when he was diagnosed with cancer he still held a smile on his face and fought for him self to get through. He was eager to prove to the NFL that they were wrong in not drafting him back in 65'. So over the summer break he worked on his speed and built up his strength, Brian was a very determined man by not letting anything get into his way.
3. motivation of character: Brain was very eager to prove to the NFL that they were wrong in not drafting him back in 65'. He also was very motivated by not letting Gale Sayers be the full time running back for the Chicago Bears. He determined to come back the next training season and be physically and mentally ready to take on the full responsibility to be the full time running back.
4. conflicts the character faces, how that character deals with the conflicts and the outcomes of conflicts: Brian's Song is all about a big conflict, and not only one. First is running into his enemy Gale Sawyers at the training camp for the Chicago Bears. Though they became the best of friends thought out their football careers, regarding their race. Second and more life changing is when Brain was diagnosed with cancer. He did not let cancer hold him back from continuing his career as a professional football player. Brain went through a 4 and 1/2 hour surgery to remove a tumor in his chest, while in surgery the doctors found a lymph node that tested positive for cancer. Thinking he would be able to recover and continue playing football, the doctors found that the cancer had a rapidly increased thought out his body. He underwent a very intense month of chemotherapy to help fight off the cancer. Brian always keeping his head up, wasn't going to let cancer defeat him. Unfortunately doctors soon realized that in order to save Brain they needed to completely remove his left long. In doing this, it meant Brain would never be able to play football again. He then knew his cancer had ultimately defeated him.
5. changes the character undergoes during the course of the novel: Brain went through a life changing experience with his battle of cancer, though he personality never changed he always looked past the cancer and onto his next season of playing football, sadly there wasn't another season with the Chicago Bears for Brain. He also undergoes an up and down friendship with Gale Sayers being enemies at first, and ending up being the best of friends, each one looking out for the other at their worst.
6. personal connections (or a lack of) you made with the character: When reading Brian's Song i was touched by how two totally different men, fought for each other, helped each other and became to know each other. Their story is most defiantly uplifting. I felt of connection with Brian and how he was so strong though out his life and all the obstacles he went through. It was almost as if I wanted to physically be there with him and help him through the hardest times of his life. Brain will always be remembered as a hero.
7. your opinion of the character and his/her/its effectiveness in the novel: My opinion of Brian is that he is a very strong man. Not only did he prove to the NFL that he should have been drafted, but also to him self. He proved to be one of the best running backs for the Chicago Bears along with being the most courageous person when going through cancer. Through all of his pain he always had his friend by his side, Gale Sayers. To me both men are heroes for everything they have done.
