Class AA Champions Keep Promise To Cancer Patient

SOUTH FAYETTE (KDKA) - An inspired high school football team kept its promise Saturday to a fan lying in a hospital bed with cancer.

The South Fayette Lions stepped onto the turf at Heinz Field with heartfelt incentive to win the WPIAL Class AA title.

Players and coaches wanted to honor 58-year-old Bill Faraci, who is suffering from a rare form of blood cancer.

Faraci couldn't attend the game, but his son, Nick, is a starting tackle. Another son, Ryan, is an assistant coach. His wife, Debbie, was missing him, in the stands.

"It's been unbelievable. I'm just constantly crying, because he wanted to be here so bad, and he's not," Debbie Faraci said.

Back in September, the team promised Faraci it would reach the WPIAL championship.

However, with the Saturday's title game against Aliquippa tied 6-6, the Lions took the lead and never looked back. As the game ended, the promise was sealed.

"We made a promise that we'd get here and I promised him on Thanksgiving I'd bring the WPIAL trophy to his hospital bed," Nick Faraci said.

"Not many teams get to experience things like this. The fact that we did, for Mr. Faraci, it's great," Tanner Courtad said.

Nick Faraci keeps his dad close, giving him inspiration, during every game.

"Just every play, I feel tired, and think of what he's going through. I play for him, every play," Nick Faraci said.

Assistant coach Ryan Faraci spoke to his dad, this morning.

"This is the one thing he wanted, was Heinz Field, and the WPIAL championship, and all I can say is, 'Dad, it's for you,'" Ryan Faraci said.