How a football game helped me move forward
In December 2022, still healing from a brutal accident, I did something bold—I chased joy straight to a football stadium.
Earlier that year, in May, I had fractured my back in three places during a car accident. The recovery was tough—especially with Myositis in the mix. Let’s face it: building muscle is already hard. When your back is out of whack, it doesn’t make anything easier.
But it didn’t stop me.
I stretched and worked out every day. I had come a long way and was living the best I could with what I’d been given.
I needed a break from the madness—to get out, forget the past for a while, and just breathe. So I made the short drive to Charlotte to watch my beloved Steelers play football.
I had invited friends, but it was last-minute and no one could make it. No worries—I went anyway.
I’ve been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan since I was a little boy. They’ve been so good to me, winning championship after championship. I couldn’t have picked a better team to follow.
(👆Some moments are louder than others. Steelers fans took over Charlotte that day—and I needed every minute of it. 🏈)
Charlotte is a great city. I lived there during a season of my life, and it has just about everything you could want—professional sports like racing, basketball, and football; great golf courses; even PGA events. The people are kind, the food is good, and there’s no shortage of bars and restaurants.
If you’re from Charlotte, you know the tram is the best way to get downtown. Parking is free, and for a couple bucks, the rail drops you right in the heart of the city.
On game day, it’s always a fun ride—packed with fans. And when it’s a Steelers game? We show up. We always do. We take over any city we visit.
That day was no different. The black and gold completely overwhelmed the blue, black, and gray. I swear there were three Steelers fans for every Panther.
The poor Panthers—I try to root for them. After all, they’re the closest team to me. But not today.
I made friends on the tram, and we walked to the stadium together. Once inside, the energy was electric. Everyone was buzzing with anticipation.
Once seated, I found more friends—strangers who became my crew for a day of laughter, high fives, and shouted chants.
The Steelers took control early and never let up. Every big hit and first down sent waves of noise through the crowd. The energy was unreal—pure Pittsburgh pride.
They beat the Panthers 24 to 13. A solid win. A needed one.
After the final whistle, the energy didn’t die down—it exploded. As we walked out of the stadium, chants of “Here we go, Steelers!” echoed through the streets. It was loud, proud, and unforgettable.
For a moment, the whole city felt like Pittsburgh.
It was a good day—one I won’t forget.
Sometimes healing doesn’t come from rest. Sometimes it comes from cheering in unison with thousands of strangers, from letting yourself have a moment that’s just… good.
That day, I remembered that I’m still part of the world.
And the Steelers? They gave me a win I didn’t even know I needed.
