Michael T. Mondak speaks: Small Battles, Big Victories Chapter 12: Draft Day and the Steelers Journey

In the last post I talked about Cassie being declared cancer free in time for her tenth birthday, where she was surprised with balloons and her very own national championship ring from her big brother Jackson Pryts and the stately Nittany Lion mascot.  This post tells of Jackson being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cassie going on to become valedictorian of her high school class at Hickory High School.

The morning sun stretched across Hermitage, turning the streets gold and bright — a perfect prelude to a day that would define Jackson Pryts’s life.

For years, Jackson had dreamed of this — the chance to take his game to the highest level. Now, surrounded by family, friends, and a few familiar faces from Happy Valley, he sat nervously waiting as the NFL Draft continued to unfold.

And right beside him — smiling, strong, and full of pride — was Cassie Day, cancer-free and thriving, her eyes sparkling with the same unshakable belief that had carried them both through so much.

“You ready for this, Jackson?” Cassie said softly.

He laughed, bouncing his knee.

“I’ve played in front of a hundred thousand people, Cass. But this? This is the one that’s got my stomach in knots.”

The television came alive with actor and game show host Billy Gardell stepping to the podium.

“With the 54th pick in the NFL Draft,” announced Billy Gardell, “the Pittsburgh Steelers select Jackson Pryts, linebacker, Penn State University!”

The room exploded — cheering, tears, and hugs all around. Cassie leapt into Jackson’s arms.

“You’re staying home!” she cried.  “You’re a Steeler!”

Jackson held her close and whispered, “Couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

Training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe was grueling, but Jackson thrived on it. He was built for Western Pennsylvania football — disciplined, determined, and humble. By midseason, he’d earned his spot in the Steelers’ starting lineup.

Fans loved him immediately: a local kid with heart, toughness, and a story straight out of a movie. The bond with Cassie became part of the lore — the linebacker and the girl who beat cancer together through faith, grit, and love of the game.

When reporters asked about his inspiration, Jackson never hesitated:

“Cassie is the reason I never quit. She taught me how to fight.”

Over the next decade, Jackson Pryts became a legend in black and gold.

Three Super Bowl victories.

Multiple Pro Bowl appearances.

And a reputation for being as great a man off the field as he was on it.

His charity — the Believe Foundation — supported children’s hospitals across Pennsylvania. Each time he took the field, he wore blue wristbands with one word printed on them: “Believe.”

And every time the confetti fell, he looked up and pointed toward the sky — a silent nod to the little girl who once tied balloons to her hospital bed.

Years later, the cameras rolled again — this time not for Jackson, but for Cassie.

Now fully healthy, vibrant, and ready to take on the world, Cassie Day stood at the podium as valedictorian of Hickory High School.  She had set a new school record for the highest grade point average of all time with a 4.63, surpassing the 4.46 set in 1997 by Chetan Patel.

The gymnasium was packed, but one face stood out in the crowd — Jackson Pryts, wearing his Steelers letterman jacket, quietly taking it all in.

When Cassie stepped up to deliver her speech, she caught his eye and smiled.

“Sometimes,” she began, “the biggest victories aren’t on a scoreboard. They’re the ones inside us — the battles we fight when no one’s watching. And the best part is, we never fight them alone.”

Jackson wiped away a tear.

After the ceremony, he hugged her tightly.

“You did it, Cass,” he said.  "You’ve been my hero since day one.”

Cassie laughed softly.

“And now it’s my turn to head to Happy Valley — to study meteorology, chase storms, and maybe, just maybe, chase a few dreams too.”