Michael T. Mondak speaks: Small Battles, Big Victories Chapter 14: The National Spotlight

The previous post brought Cassie Day's journey full circle to Happy Valley where it had begun.  It became her home where she would study meteorology.  A moment during homecoming with her and Jackson Pryts during halftime that went viral.  This post brings the national spotlight to the story.

By morning, the moment had gone viral.

An official Penn State press release honored CASSIE STRONG with the halftime tribute, sharing the story of Cassie’s battle with cancer as a nine-year-old to her journey to Happy Valley as a student in meteorology.  Coach Terry Smith gave his kudos by saying that Cassie embodied the very best of what it meant to be a Penn Stater.  “Her strength, her positivity, and her spirit continue to inspire our program, our community, and the entire Nittany Lion family,” said Coach Smith.

The Athletic reported:

You could feel it in the air before kickoff—the anticipation, the tradition, the spectacle of another Penn State White Out. But when the cards went up and “CASSIE STRONG” stretched across the stands, the football game became secondary, let alone the fact Penn State had won the game. This was about a girl who fought cancer, a linebacker who made a promise, and the kind of family that extends far beyond the field.

One week later, College Gameday revisited the moment.  Rece Davis said, in voiceover:

“Last Saturday night, Penn State’s White Out gave us goosebumps… but it wasn’t about touchdowns or trophies. It was about a promise kept, a young woman’s fight, and 110,000 voices united in two words: Cassie Strong.”

Back at the desk, Rece and his co-hosts Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso were all smiles.  Rece said:

“Guys, that was one of those moments where college football is bigger than the game itself. Cassie, cancer-free now at nineteen, celebrated in front of the White Out crowd, alongside Jackson Pryts—now a Steeler, but always a Nittany Lion.”

Kirk reflected in the moment saying:

“Rece, I’ve seen a lot of incredible things in this sport, but that scene… that chant, that emotion… it’s gonna stay with me forever. That’s Penn State family right there.”

With usual bravado, Pat McAfee, himself a native of Western Pennsylvania, shouted:

“C’mon! One hundred and ten thousand chanting ‘Cassie Strong’? You can’t script that! Pryts—what a dude. And Cassie? What a warrior. That’s what it’s all about.”

Desmond Howard, a noted Michigan homer, said wistfully:

“She’s an inspiration, plain and simple. And the way the community wrapped around her—shows how football connects us all.”

But Rece had a surprise for the crowd gathered outside Old Main:

“Well, we’ve got a treat for you this morning. Cassie and Jackson Pryts are with us live on GameDay.”

The two friends walked on stage to the roar of the crowd, waving the same signs with the words they chanted the previous Saturday night, CASSIE STRONG.

Lee Corso smiled and handed Cassie an official College Gameday hat, saying:

“Not so fast, my friends - Cassie, you’re the real headgear pick this week!”

Everyone laughed as Lee hugged Cassie, with Jackson looking on, grinning from ear to ear.

Rece wrapped the segment.

“From a hospital room to the White Out, to here on College GameDay—Cassie Strong is more than a chant. It’s a story of hope, family, and the power of keeping a promise.”

The following Monday, the two friends were in New York to appear on Good Morning America.  Robin Roberts began:

“Well, this morning we’ve got a story that will touch your heart. It’s about a promise between a little girl fighting cancer and a college football player who never let go of that promise. And now, ten years later, that bond brought 110,000 people to their feet. Our own Lara Spencer, a proud Penn State alum, has the story.”

Lara Spencer stood in front of Beaver Stadium where the banners from the Whiteout still hung.

“It was a moment that gave everyone chills. At Penn State’s White Out game last weekend, the biggest roar wasn’t for a touchdown — it was for Cassie Day, now 19, who once battled cancer at just nine years old. And by her side, Jackson Pryts, a Hermitage, Pennsylvania native who first promised her she’d never fight alone.”

A video montage played with Cassie in a hospital bed with Jackson at her side to the tribute from the Whiteout.

Lara continued: “Cassie is now a student here at Penn State, majoring in meteorology. And Jackson? He’s a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But together, they came back to where it all began — Beaver Stadium — to celebrate not just survival, but family.”

Lara sat down with the two friends in a makeshift studio for an interview.

“I never thought I’d be here, cancer-free, standing in front of that crowd,” said Cassie. “It was overwhelming — in the best way.”

“It was emotional for me, too.” added Jackson. “I made Cassie a promise when she was nine, and to stand with her here ten years later — that’s something I’ll carry forever.”

Back in the studio, Lara smiled and said, “Guys, Penn State fans love to say ‘We Are.’ Well, last weekend, they showed what that really means. We are family. We are together. And we are Cassie Strong.”

Nodding, Robin Roberts said, “Lara, as a cancer survivor myself, I’ve got goosebumps. What a powerful reminder of the human spirit.”

“And shoutout to Jackson Pryts — keeping that promise,” added Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.  “That’s a teammate for life right there.”

“That’s one they’ll never forget in Happy Valley,” agreed George Stephanopoulos.

The next morning on the TODAY show, Hoda Kotb kicked off the broadcast with these words:

“We begin this morning with a story that’s bigger than football — it’s about love, hope, and the power of keeping a promise. It happened at Penn State’s famous White Out game, where a young woman who once fought cancer took center stage, alongside the football player who stood by her all the way. NBC’s Kristen Dahlgren has more.”

The voiceover package from Kristen Dahlgren began, “a night when 110,000 fans packed into Beaver Stadium, the loudest cheer wasn’t for a touchdown. It was for Cassie Day — once a nine-year-old cancer patient, now a Penn State student — who returned to the field where a promise was born.”

There were videos of Jackson visiting Cassie in the hospital when she was all of nine years old, with old photos side by side with present day footage.

Dahlgren continued, “A decade ago, Cassie met Jackson Pryts, then a linebacker for the Nittany Lions. He told her she’d never fight alone. Ten years later, Pryts — now a Pittsburgh Steeler — was there by her side as fans spelled out two words across the stadium: Cassie Strong.”

“I just felt so loved,” Cassie said in an interview with her parents. “It wasn’t just about me beating cancer — it was about all the people who helped me get here.”

Jackson Pryts, in Steelers gear, said, “Cassie inspires me every day. She taught me more about toughness than football ever could.”

Outside Beaver Stadium, Dahlgren continued, “Cassie is now majoring in meteorology here at Penn State, chasing new dreams under clearer skies. And for Jackson, it’s a reminder that some victories last far beyond the field.”

Back in the studio, Hoda was emotional.  “Oh my gosh, that just gave me chills. What an incredible young woman — and what a friend in Jackson.”

“Yeah, you see that kind of bond and you think, wow, that’s what sports — and life — is really about,” added Savannah Guthrie.

Craig Melvin chimed in, “110,000 chanting her name. Imagine being Cassie in that moment. That’s unforgettable.”

“She is the definition of strong,” Hoda continued. “Cassie Strong.”

People magazine ran a cover story about this pair of friends.  The story included a fun fact that Jackson surprised Cassie at her tenth birthday party with the stately Nittany Lion mascot, blue and white balloons and her own national championship ring!

E! News, Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight ate it up, even teasing about a documentary film!

Daily Variety reported that a producer from ESPN Films said “that this is the type of story that transcends sports. It’s about resilience, family, and promises kept — everything audiences crave right now.”

The Hollywood Reporter believed the story had an energy reminiscent of “Remember the Titans.”  It’s inspirational, it’s emotional, and it has a built-in audience from sports fans to families. It’s everything a studio looks for.”

Insiders told The Hollywood Reporter that Cassie and Pryts have already been approached about potential projects, with interest spanning both scripted dramatizations and documentary treatments.

Netflix announced its newest venture, Cassie Strong, slated for a fall 2027 premiere.

Disney promoted it with the tagline: “Some promises last a lifetime.”

We’ll take SPORTS STORIES THAT INSPIRE for $1200, Ken:  On an episode of Jeopardy!, the answer was:

This former Penn State linebacker, who went on to win three Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers, kept a lifelong promise to support his young friend Cassie, who beat cancer & inspired a stadium-wide “Cassie Strong” tribute.

Matt Amodio rang in and provided the correct response: What’s Pryts?

“Jackson Pryts, correct,” said host Ken Jennings.

Entertainment Tonight ran an exclusive: The Bond that touched football and Hollywood.

Lara Spencer, who was substituting for a vacationing Nichelle Turner, introduced the exclusive story.

“Tonight on Entertainment Tonight… it’s a story of promises, perseverance, and Penn State pride. NFL star Jackson Pryts may have three Super Bowl rings, but it’s his bond with Cassie, a cancer survivor who’s now thriving as a Penn State student, that truly shines the brightest.

“Their friendship began in a hospital room in Hermitage, Pennsylvania… and has carried all the way to Beaver Stadium, the Super Bowl stage, and now the big screen. Fans across the country are calling it the feel-good sports story of the decade — and it’s about to get the Hollywood treatment.

“From standing ovations to streaming deals, Cassie and Jackson are proving that some promises really do last forever. And yes, We Are… Penn State!”

As Cassie and Jackson sent blue and white balloons to the heavens, an on-screen caption read:

Promises kept. Dreams lived.

Back on Good Morning America, Robin Roberts began,

"Now to a story that is sure to brighten your morning.  It’s about friendship, football, and a promise kept.  Our own Lara Spencer, a proud Penn Stater herself, has the story of a young girl named Cassie, and the linebacker who never left her side.”

The Penn Stater narrated the archival footage which showed a then nine-year-old Cassie in the hospital smiling with Jackson Pryts to a slow zoom of the Linebacker U legend kneeling with Cassie’s name written on his wrist tape:

"Cassie Day was just nine years old when she was diagnosed with cancer.  Fighting for her life, she found unexpected strength in a Penn State linebacker named Jackson Pryts, who promised he’d be by her side through it all.”

More archival footage played, Cassie ringing the bell just weeks before her tenth birthday, the CASSIE STRONG chant at Beaver Stadium, and Jackson Pryts hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Lara continued, “Years later, Cassie beat cancer.  Jackson kept his promise, from Beaver Stadium to the NFL.  And as he collected three Super Bowl rings, Cassie pursued her dream at Penn State, now studying meteorology.”

More footage followed, with Cassie and Jackson on stage, smiling and sending balloons to the heavens, and present-day footage with Cassie in the campus weather lab.

"It’s a friendship that has lasted more than just a promise - a promise that became a legacy - and a story that continues to inspire millions,” Lara concluded.

Back in the studio, Robin Roberts said, “Lara, what a beautiful story - and We Are… Penn State.”

Lara laughed and nodded.  “We are!” she shouted.

On SportsCenter, Scott Van Pelt said, over a still photo of Cassie in her hospital gown,

“Sports have a way of writing stories that no script could match. Ten years ago, a linebacker named Jackson Pryts made a promise to a little girl named Cassie. He told her she’d never fight alone.

“And he meant it.

“From the hospital room, to Beaver Stadium, to the Super Bowl stage… Pryts carried her story, her strength, and her smile with him every step of the way.

“Today, Cassie’s story has come full circle. A Penn State student. Still strong.  Still inspiring.  And Jackson Pryts? Three-time Super Bowl champion. 

“Because some wins last longer than the final whistle. Some legacies go far beyond the game.”

The final shot showed Cassie and Jackson arm in arm at midfield.

Good Morning America opened with Cassie’s beaming face and Robin Roberts saying,

“Remember Cassie, the girl who battled cancer at the age of nine, and the linebacker who formed a bond together?  Lara Spencer, a proud Penn Stater, is here with a follow up to a story that is what college sports — and life — are all about.”

Lara Spencer, herself a Penn State student athlete, introduced the segment.

“Thank you, Robin.  This morning, we have a story that is as heartwarming as it is inspiring. It’s about friendship, football, and the incredible power of hope.

“Meet Cassie Day — at nine years old, she was fighting cancer. But through her toughest battles, she found strength in a Penn State linebacker from Hermitage, Pennsylvania… Jackson Pryts. The two formed an unbreakable bond that carried through college championships, Super Bowls, and life’s biggest milestones.

“And now — ten years later — Cassie is cancer-free, a proud Penn State student studying meteorology.  It’s all thanks to her hero, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jackson Pryts.”

In the studio, Lara interviewed Cassie and Jackson.

“Cassie, you are glowing. Tell us what it means to have Jackson in your life, from those hospital days all the way to Happy Valley.”

Cassie smiled, saying: “It means everything. He kept me fighting when I wanted to give up.” 

Jackson was visibly emotional.

“She’s the real champion here,” he said. “I just played football. She taught me what strength really looks like.”

“Well, we are all cheering for Team Cassie and Team Jackson today.”  Lara beamed with pride. “What a beautiful story of friendship. Thank you both for sharing it with us.”