Dreams can come true

Randy Pausch was one of an uncountable number of boys who dreamed of playing in the NFL. That didn't pan out for Pausch, 46, a professor of computer science, but as he explained in his celebrated Sept. 18 lecture, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," he may have learned more from his unattained NFL dream than all of those that did come true. Having a coach yell at you, he explained, is not a bad thing. "When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody's bothering to tell you anymore, that's a very bad place to be. Your critics are your ones telling you they still love you and care."

Pausch, who has terminal pancreatic cancer but remains, for now, in reasonably good health, at least got to touch his NFL dream on Wednesday. Diane Sawyer and ABC News, in town to interview Pausch for an upcoming program, arranged for him to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers at their South Side practice facility.

Wide receiver Hines Ward threw passes to Pausch while Sawyer stood on the sidelines cheering. He chatted with Coach Mike Tomlin while Ward and other players autographed his jersey. Later, Pausch visited the Steeler locker room, met Steelers owner Dan Rooney and gained entrance to the display room housing the team's five Super Bowl trophies.

"This is fantastic!" Pausch said.

Byron Spice