PITTSBURGH -- A 14-year-old Georgia boy from Atlanta Falcons country is getting his wish to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for a day.

Akeem Havens, of Flowery Branch, told the Make-A-Wish Foundation that he has always wanted to be a part of the black and gold and hang out with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The group made it happen on Thursday morning, when the young, undrafted rookie was signed to a contract at the Steelers' South Side practice facility.

Watch the full report by Amber Nicotra tonight on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

Team chairman Dan Rooney held a news conference so the team's newest member could talk to the media.

"He's been a Steelers fan since he can remember. But today, his passion for the team got even greater when Akeem Havens became an official member of the Pittsburgh Steelers," Rooney said during the news conference.

"One little piece of advice," Havens said. "Let's try to make it an even number of Super Bowl wins."

Rooney also gave the boy a Steelers jersey so he could take part in practice after the news conference.

"He thinks we're going to watch film, but we're going to sneak out and play some video games, so it should be fun," Roethlisberger said. "It's a game I have no idea how to play, so he's probably going to beat me."

Havens was in a car crash at age 7 that left him a quadriplegic. He has renal failure and uses a wheelchair.

"Seeing how he's reacting to it, it helps us feel a little better about the situation with him," said Akeem's father, Patrick Havens.

"I've been smiling the whole time," said Akeem's mother, Yamika Havens. "My cheeks is kind of getting sore. Just seeing the excitement on their face and knowing they're happy."

"The smile on his face is so amazing," Roethlisberger said. "To think, his one wish is to to come here. It's touching. So many days, we come out here and we don't want to be here, and he wants to be here, so it's just awesome to be able to help out and put a smile on his face."

"It's the best day I've had in my whole life," Akeem said after hanging with Roethlisberger.

The entire day was taped and will air on a future episode of ESPN's "My Wish" series.

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