Meet Yaheim, who loves football, and could not wait to meet a member of the legendary Steel Curtain Defense. During their first meeting, J.T. described his childhood growing up in the south. He told Yaheim and his family how he would march for equality alongside Martin Luther King Jr. The captivating story truly formed a bridge between generations.
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J.T. is no stranger to adversity. He worked hard to break the color barriers by becoming the first African American to play football at Florida State University. In 1973, J.T. was drafted in the very first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Today, J.T. is the owner of the Black-N-Gold Cheesecake Company. Additionally, J.T. serves as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher at Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

J.T. Thomas, who has overcome so much adversity, looked at Yaheim and told him that he was a warrior.

The staff, children, and families of CCChampions would like to wish you and your family/friends a Happy New Year!

By: Amit Shimshi

As a Friendship Assistant at CCChampions, I learned all about the organization’s mission to bring smiles to our kids’ faces. Working alongside Sidney, Jen, and Coy, I’ve shared happy, exciting moments with the CCChampions family. I was thrilled to experience first-hand the remarkable impact CCChampions has on our kids and their families when the team hung out with Yaheim, the sweetest 11-year-old boy! Sidney, Jen, Coy and I met Yaheim and his family for an exciting day at Kennywood. We shared laughs and smiles along with a Kennywood-must: Potato Patch fries!

Yaheim is one brave dude, eager to mount the scariest rides at the park! Our first ride was the Sky Rocket, a twisty roller coaster that launches zero to 50 mph in 3 seconds. Despite the Sky Rocket’s turbo blast off, Yaheim climbed on it with ease! Later in the day, he dared all of us to take on the most stomach turning ride of all- the Black Widow. Accepting the challenge, we all hopped on the terrifying ride and screamed from the top of our lungs. We all became closer (figuratively, and literally) as we fit into one tiny turtle on the Turtle Chase! The ride’s fast turns had us smashing into each other and laughing uncontrollably. It was so much fun to share such lighthearted moments with Yaheim and his family!

I loved spending time with Yaheim, his family, and the CCChampions crew, and can’t wait for another adventure. Here are a couple of our favorite moments captured on camera! 

by Mia DiBagno

When I first met the very-outgoing Teddy, I knew that finding him a CCChampions Friend would be a TALL order! At the time, I didn't know that this would literally be 6-feet-5-inches!!

At a very highly anticipated Induction Ceremony, Teddy first met his friend, Justin Hartwig -- former Pittsburgh Steelers star Center, Super Bowl XLIII Champion, and all-around big dude! When Teddy first saw Justin, he exclaimed, "WOW! You're huge!" and broke the ice with big laughs (pun intended).

Justin and his daughter, Teddy and his parents, and the CCChampions crew had a day of fun and laughs! While wearing Justin's Super Bowl ring, Teddy looked at his new Friend and joked, "Where's your ring, Justin?"