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Boys Leave Children's Hospital To Fish With Brett Keisel

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Far from the thunderous fans of Heinz Field, at a placid pond in Bridgeville, Steeler Brett Keisel is fishing with some very young cohorts.

His fishing buddies are four boys from Children's Hospital.

"I think they're just enjoying coming out and doing something different and maybe getting to do it with the bearded one is not so bad either," Keisel says.

The Alpine Hunting and Fishing Club teamed up with local appliance dealers to make this a special day for patients like young Tyler Skarzenski. Tyler says it's commendable for the Steeler defensive end "to be willing to spend a day just to give some kids an awesome experience. And it is an awesome experience."

Nine-year-old Luke Ball and his family moved here from Oregon, five years ago. His mother, Stacie Ball, says, "We knew Luke would eventually need a heart transplant, and we came to Pittsburgh for the hospital."

Ball had enough heart to reel in the biggest fish of the day.

"We were reeling in and tugging on it in the water to get it tired," he explains.

Down at the fishing hole, the goliath of the gridiron is just one of the boys.

"The families and the fight that the kids have shown that go to the hospital has really inspired me," Keisel says. "And to have an opportunity to come out here, and get out of the hospital for a little while, breathe some fresh air, share a few laughs, catch a few fish, what's better than that?"

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