A Steelers Dream Comes True for Putnam County Man Living With ALS

Some dreams are bigger than football, and right now one Putnam County family is watching a big one come true. Jacob Harper, a young man from Winfield who has been living with ALS, is about to get an on-field experience at an NFL game with the team he has loved his whole life, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And the way it is happening says a lot about the people of this state: it is coming together thanks to the kindness of someone Jacob had never even met.

A Fighter From Winfield

Jacob grew up in Winfield as a hands-on kind of guy. Friends describe him running track, working as a welder and machinist, forging metal at a blacksmith's anvil, spinning vintage vinyl and making music. Through all of it, one thing never changed: he bleeds black and gold.

In March 2022, at just 23 years old, Jacob was diagnosed with ALS, the disease often called Lou Gehrig's disease, which over time takes away the body's ability to control movement. His form of the illness is an extremely rare and aggressive one tied to a genetic mutation. He was accepted into a clinical trial for an experimental drug that has helped slow its progression, and today, at 27, he is approaching five years since his diagnosis.

Jacob now communicates using a device that picks up slight muscle signals in his leg, letting him spell out words with his parents, Dale and Barb. Those closest to him say his faith and gratitude have never wavered.

Honored Around the World

Back in April, Jacob received the 2026 Project ALS Pioneer Award, an honor given to just one person in the world each year for advancing awareness, fundraising or research. At a packed ceremony in Winfield, he shared the honor with his family, the researchers working toward answers, and the wider ALS and rare disease community, calling every step forward "a collective victory."

Making the Trip Possible

Getting someone with advanced ALS to an NFL stadium takes a lot more than a ticket. Jacob's friends set up an online fundraiser to help cover accessible medical transportation, nearby lodging, wheelchair-accessible seating and care support for him and his team while they are away from home.

For a lifelong Steelers fan, it is the chance to feel the roar of the crowd, wave a towel with thousands of other fans and soak in game day in person.

West Virginia, this one is for you to cheer on. We can't wait to see Jacob on that field, and we'll be rooting for him every step of the way.