Joy Murrath is best known as the wife of Brian Piccolo, the late Chicago Bears running back whose battle with cancer was portrayed in the film Brian’s Song. She is recognized for her strength, compassion, and dedication to his legacy.
In this article, we explore the life of Joy Murrath beyond her role as Brian Piccolo’s wife, highlighting her early years, family, personal strength, remarriage, and lasting contributions to cancer research and her community.
Quick Facts About Joy Murrath
👩🦰 Full Name: Joy Murrath Piccolo O’Connell
🎂 Born: 1943, United States
🏡 Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
🏫 High School: Central Catholic High School (now St. Thomas Aquinas)
💍 First Husband: Brian Piccolo (m. 1964–1970)
👨👩👧👧 Children with Brian: Lori, Traci, Kristi
🖤 Widowed: 1970, after Brian’s death at age 26
🎞️ Famous For: Featured in the story of Brian’s Song (1971)
💒 Second Husband: Rick O’Connell (m. 1973–present)
👦 Children with Rick: Tom and Mike
🏠 Current Residence: Delavan, Wisconsin
🎗️ Role: President of the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund
🧬 Legacy: Advocate, caregiver, and symbol of strength and resilience
👵 Now: Living a private life, surrounded by children and grandchildren
Early Life and Family Background
Joy Murrath was born in 1943 in the United States. She grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in a close-knit family. One of the most important people in her life was her younger sister, Carol, who was born with cerebral palsy.
Joy’s relationship with Carol shaped her early years. While other kids were playing outside or going to parties, Joy was often helping her sister. That gave her a strong sense of responsibility and empathy, things that never left her.
From a young age, Joy learned what it meant to love someone who depends on you. She didn’t see it as a burden. She saw it as a bond. That’s always been her way kind, steady, and full of heart.
Meeting Brian Piccolo: A High School Love Story
Joy met Brian Piccolo in high school. They were both students at Central Catholic High School (now St. Thomas Aquinas High) in Fort Lauderdale.
Brian was a football player with dreams of going pro. Joy was a cheerleader with a kind heart and a calm presence. They clicked almost instantly. Their relationship was sweet and steady, not flashy. They felt good together. Being near one another was enough.
And here’s a detail that says everything: when Brian proposed to Joy, he also gave a small diamond ring to her sister Carol. Why? So Carol wouldn’t feel left out.
That one moment captured the soul of their love story, thoughtful, inclusive, and full of heart.
Marriage and Starting a Family
Joy and Brian got married on December 26, 1964. Brian signed with the Bears only days before their wedding. It was the beginning of a new chapter in their lives: marriage, football, and family life.
They eventually had three daughters together:
- Lori
- Traci
- Kristi
Joy and Brian built a home filled with laughter and love. The house was simple, but it felt warm and full of life. Picture small children running around barefoot, bedtime stories, and lots of family photos taped to the fridge.
Joy didn’t care about fame or money. All she wanted was a peaceful home, and she made it real.
NFL Life and Public Attention
Brian started playing for the Bears in 1965. At first, he was on the practice squad, but he worked his way up. He eventually became good friends and roommates with Gale Sayers, another Bears player.
Their friendship was groundbreaking at the time. Brian was white. Gale was Black. In the late 1960s, that kind of bond was rare, especially in the sports world.
Joy supported it fully. She never cared about appearances. She cared about people. She made a difference quietly, helping people come together.
Tragedy Strikes: Brian’s Illness
In late 1969, Brian started coughing and feeling weak. Doctors ran tests. The results were heartbreaking. He had embryonal cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that started in his testicles and spread quickly.
Joy stood by him every step of the way. She took care of him during hospital stays, made decisions with the doctors, and kept life as normal as possible for their daughters.
Brian had surgery and chemotherapy, but the cancer had spread too far. On June 16, 1970, he passed away. He was only 26 years old. Joy was just 27, suddenly a widow with three young children.
Brian’s Song: A Private Story Made Public
After Brian’s death, his story was turned into a made-for-TV movie called Brian’s Song, released in 1971. The film touched hearts and became a favorite for many.
The movie showed the strong friendship between Brian and Gale Sayers and the love Brian had for his family. Joy’s role in the story was small but powerful. She was the steady support behind the scenes, the woman who kept the family together.
She never tried to steal the spotlight. That wasn’t her way. But her love and strength were clear to anyone who watched.
Love Again: Remarriage and New Beginnings
In 1973, three years after Brian’s death, Joy married Rick O’Connell, a businessman from Chicago. Rick wasn’t trying to replace Brian. He simply loved Joy for who she was, gentle, strong, and deeply loyal.
Together, Joy and Rick had two sons:
- Tom
- Mike
They settled in Delavan, Wisconsin, where Joy continued to raise her growing family with grace and care. Her household now included five children and lots of stories, laughter, and love.
What’s beautiful is that Joy never hid her past. She honored Brian’s memory while fully embracing her future with Rick.
The Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund
Even as she built a new life, Joy never forgot her first husband. In fact, she made sure his legacy helped others.
She became the president of the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, a foundation created in Brian’s name to fight the disease that took his life.
Through fundraisers, charity events, and partnerships with hospitals, Joy helped raise millions of dollars for cancer research.
She wasn’t a scientist, wasn’t a celebrity. She was just someone who wanted to make a difference. And she did.
What Is Joy Murrath Like?
Joy isn’t someone you see on magazine covers or TV interviews. She prefers to live quietly, with family at the center of her world. But people who know her say the same things:
- She listens more than she talks
- She believes in showing up, not showing off
- She loves fully, forgives deeply, and keeps moving forward
Her strength isn’t loud, but it’s real. The kind you feel when someone brings you soup when you’re sick. Or holds your hand at the hospital. Or takes care of your kids while never asking for anything in return.
Legacy, Children, and Grandchildren
Joy has five grown kids now and many grandkids who love her. Her daughters have grown up and started families of their own. Her sons, too, are building their lives with the values she taught them: kindness, honesty, and love.
She continues to stay involved in cancer research efforts, even in her later years. She also cared for her aging mother in her final years, proving again that family always comes first for her.
FAQs About Joy Murrath
Is Joy Murrath still alive?
Yes, she is alive and living a quiet life with her family in Wisconsin.
How many kids does she have?
She has five children: three daughters with Brian Piccolo and two sons with Rick O’Connell.
What does she do now?
She enjoys time with her family, supports the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund, and lives out her values every day.
Did she remarry after Brian?
Yes, she married Rick O’Connell in 1973 and they have been together for many years.
Why Joy Murrath Story Matters
Most people don’t know her name, but her story truly matters. But her life has touched more people than many celebrities ever will.
She teaches us that:
- You can love more than once
- Grief doesn’t have to break you
- The best kind of legacy is the one that helps others
Her story is about real love. The kind that sticks, that carries you through the hardest days. The kind that doesn’t need a stage or microphone.
Final Thoughts
Joy Murrath’s life is a powerful example of love, strength, and resilience. She turned personal tragedy into purpose, raised a strong family, and carried forward her husband’s legacy with quiet grace. Her journey continues to inspire generations.
If her story moved you, consider supporting cancer research or sharing her legacy with someone who needs a reminder that even in heartbreak, healing and hope are possible.
✨ Explore more true stories of silent courage and inner strength at laaster.com