Warren Timko vs. a Rare Brain Tumor — and His Dream to Anchor the Steelers’ Hometown Line

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (AP) — Warren Timko, a senior at Upper St. Clair High School and a lifelong son of Steelers Nation, is fighting for his life against a rare and aggressive brain tumor. Yet even in the face of chemotherapy, radiation, and endless therapy sessions, he carries one dream close to his heart: to one day anchor the offensive line for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers.

Thanks to the support of team captain Cameron Heyward, Warren will be granted a special locker room visit at MetLife Stadium before the Steelers’ Week 1 opener against the New York Jets on September 7, 2025. It’s a moment that symbolizes both resilience and the unbreakable bond between a city and its team.

Seventeen-year-old Warren grew up in Upper St. Clair, just outside Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are more than a team — they’re a cultural heartbeat. Wearing No. 60 for the Upper St. Clair Panthers, Warren modeled himself after legends like Maurkice Pouncey and Alan Faneca, dreaming of one day protecting Pittsburgh’s quarterback and paving the way for its running backs.

His life changed in November 2024, when he was diagnosed with a rare pineal gland tumor that had spread to his spine. Since then, Warren has endured six rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of high-dose radiation, forcing him to relearn how to walk and talk. He now undergoes physical, occupational, and speech therapy four days a week.

But even in the darkest days, he never let go of his Steelers dream. “Warren grew up with black and gold in his blood,” said his mother, Debbie Timko. “He always said he wanted to protect Pittsburgh’s quarterback the way the Steelers protect this city.”

On August 29, 2025, Warren walked onto the field during Upper St. Clair’s “senior night,” standing tall beside his mother as the crowd roared. His community rallied around him with a GoFundMe campaign — Support Warren’s Battle Against Rare Brain Tumor — raising over $30,000 to help cover treatment costs.

Earlier in August, Warren met Cameron Heyward during Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College. Heyward — the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year — was struck by Warren’s passion and courage.

“I met Warren during camp, and he made me stop in my tracks,” Heyward said. “He talked about Pittsburgh, about the Steelers, and about wanting to be a lineman who protects his hometown team. His strength inspired me. I called the team right away to make sure he’d get to be in the locker room Week 1 against the Jets. Warren is part of Steelers Nation, and we want him to feel that power.”

On September 7, 2025, Warren and his mother will join the Steelers at MetLife Stadium. He will meet players including Heyward, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and wide receiver DK Metcalf, tour the locker room, and receive a signed Steelers jersey and memorabilia.

“He’ll be treated like one of our linemen,” said a team source. “Warren carries the spirit of Pittsburgh, and we want him to feel it.”

Debbie Timko added: “Warren lives for the Steelers and for Pittsburgh. Stepping into that locker room is a dream come true — and gives him strength to keep fighting.” Warren himself summed it up: “I want to be a lineman who protects the Steelers the way they protect this city. I won’t stop fighting — for Pittsburgh, and for my dream.”

Warren’s visit is more than a gesture. It’s a reminder of Pittsburgh’s unity — where football isn’t just a game but a reflection of the city’s resilience. Through Cameron Heyward’s Heyward House Foundation and the support of Steelers Nation, Warren’s fight is shared by an entire community.

He continues his treatments with hope that one day, he’ll return to the field — chasing the dream that has fueled him all along: becoming a lineman for the team he calls home.