Do they have their own story?
Illness reinforces inspirational friendship/heroism structure.
Brian's Song
2001 · ABC · Broadcast TV
FAIL
Summary
Chicago Bears running backs Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers move from rivalry to friendship as their team integrates. When Piccolo is diagnosed with cancer, Sayers supports him through treatment and decline.
Why it fails
Are they allowed to live?
Death is framed nobly and inspirationally.
Does the medical reality hold up?
Medical detail is secondary to sports-biopic tragedy.