Written by Bill Priatko

Coming up on age 93, Air Force veteran and former Pittsburgh Steeler Bill Priatko appears in a great commercial for the new Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor Museum at Acrisure Stadium. Before playing for the Steelers, Browns, and Packers, Bill led the Air Force Honor Guard for President Dwight Eisenhower and at Arlington National Cemetery. Then, as an Air Force Reserve officer, Bill flew airborne soldiers and cargo into Vietnam. Bill’s two sons graduated from West Point. Lt. Col. David Priatko served in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Bill’s other son is subject of a new book, A Noble Knight: Dan Priatko’s Story of Faith and Courage. We recently heard from Bill about being tapped for a commercial for the Steelers.

Several weeks ago the Steelers called me and wanted me to come down to Acrisure Stadium to make a commercial for the Steeler Museum.

It involved Craig  Wolfley, Ron Woodson, Mel Blount, James Harrison, T.J Watt and myself. I am deeply honored to be selected with these top notch Steelers.  Why me, I’m not sure, but I am grateful.

When I was a 10 year old skinny  kid growing up on Grant Street in North Braddock, I said to our neighbors that some day I wanted to play for the Steelers. The neighbors chuckled at my childhood hopes and dreams.

Never ever did I expect that it would lead to my  being selected to be a part of this commercial.

We were all given a short script as what to say. I was to say,  Playing back then was tough, believe me.” Seven words.

It reminded me of when I was a senior at  North Braddock Scott High School, our English teacher, Miss Miller selected me to be in our Christmas play, portraying the Inn Keeper at the site where Jesus was born. I was given the short script, as to what to say.  I was to say,

“There is no room in the Inn.” Seven words.

What a contrast in episodes in my life, seven words in a Christmas play and many years later, seven words, in a Steeler museum commercial.

God has blessed me.