As a lifelong Cincinnati Bengals fan, I have a decades-long hatred of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The largest percentage of this hatred is pure jealousy, but it is hatred nonetheless. Or should I say, "was?"
Something stirred my black-and-gold hating soul last Sunday; a broadcast on ESPN called "My Wish." In the span of about five minutes I realized that Pittsburgh actually does have a heart. His name is Ben Roethlisberger.
Akeem Havens, a 14-year-old quadriplegic from Flowery Beach, Ga., calls Roethlisberger his hero. His wish was to spend a day playing video games with the former Miami of Ohio and current Steelers signal caller.
Roethlisberger and Steelers owner Dan Rooney had grander ideas for the wheelchair-bound child.
Havens, who was injured in a car accident when he was 7 years old, is mentally competent but physically handicapped. He maneuvers his electric wheelchair, and also works his way around a video game controller, using only his chin.
"That would be one of the best days of my life, a 14-year-old kid beating a Super Bowl winning quarterback at video games," Havens said during the segment.
He got that wish, stomping Roethlisberger in a video game contest in the Steelers locker room.
But that was just one of many memories the Steelers built for this young boy over the weekend.
Havens was greeted at Heinz Field by a Jumbo-Tron message from Roethlisberger, telling the "rookie" to get ready for his first day as a Steeler. He then signed a contract with Rooney, making his place on the team official.
After being introduced to his new teammates by head coach Mike Tomlin, the rookie running back took in the day's practice from the sidelines. But in a clutch scoring situation late in a simulated game, Havens was called on to follow his lead blocker off of left tackle.
The result: Touchdown.
Befitting of any MVP, Havens was rewarded the game ball by Roethlisberger for his efforts.
So now I am in a quandary. Can I continue to detest a team that is willing to grant the wishes of a critically injured child?
No. I'll have to root for Roethlisberger and his Steelers at least 14 times next season. Can somebody spot me a terrible towel?
To view the ESPN broadcast of this wonderful gesture, visit http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/feature/index?page=MyWish2008.
Billy Bruce is a freelance writer and sports fan who lives, writes and works in Lawrence County. He can be reached at hollandkat3@aol.com.
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