There were fist pounds, handshakes, high fives, and hellos. But more than anything, there was an outpouring of love in the Steelers locker room for 12-year old Daniel Hutto.
Hutto, who is from Columbia, South Carolina and has sickle cell anemia, was at the team's practice facility on Tuesday, meeting players and watching practice all thanks to the Steelers and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Steelers grant the wish of a young Steelers fan.
Coach Mike Tomlin welcomed Hutto by bringing him on the field for the team's early walk-thru, then brought him into the locker room where the players welcomed him with open arms, signed his football and posed for pictures.
"It means a lot to me," said his mother Paige Foulks. "I just see the joy in his face. It makes him happy, so it makes me happy. I am overwhelmed and very excited."
Sporting an Antonio Brown No. 84 jersey, Hutto was thrilled to meet one of his favorite players, and not just meet him, but get advice from the Pro Bowl wide receiver, as well as gloves and shoes that he immediately put on. "I had a great experience with Antonio and the team," said Hutto, smiling from ear to ear. "Everybody signed my ball, I got to meet AB and talk to him. It's been really special."
Hutto and his mother will also be attending the Steelers preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on Thursday night, but it's hard to imagine anything will top his experience today.
"I felt so welcomed to the training facility," said Hutto. "I thought I was going to just be watching practice, but to be brought on the field and talking to them, it's been so special. This is a once in a lifetime type of thing."
