Pittsburgh Steelers players, like most NFL players, are known for doing great work in the community. This giving back does not end when the players leave the field. Now Kordell Stewart, former Pittsburgh quarterback, is making a tremendous difference in the life of an educator during Teacher Appreciation Week.
NBC
Lashay “Pow Pow” Powell, a Steelers fan living in Kansas City Chiefs territory, went viral when her students gave her a custom jersey.
The Today Show on NBC reported the story of a social studies teacher in Wichita, Kansas who went viral when her students all chipped in and bought her a custom Steelers jersey. The teacher's name is Lashay Powell, but her students affectionately call her "Pow Pow." She teaches 10th-grade history at Northeast Magnet High School in Wichita.
The video of her getting the jersey has gone viral with over 8 million views. The jersey says "Pow Pow" on the back for her nickname and features the number "25" since 2025 is when this class will graduate. The video views exceeded all the student's expectations and caught the attention of the national media and a former Steelers player.
When asked about the video and how she became a Steelers fan in the Chiefs kingdom, Powell recounted a story of meeting a future Steeler when she was a child. When she was 13 years old, Powell met Stewart, then a rising star at the University of Colorado. She said she fell hard.
"He was gonna be my husband."
Ultimately Stewart went on to be selected by the Steelers during the 1995 NFL Draft in the second round. That was enough for Powell, she became an instant Steelers fan and has been ever since. Everyone she knows said she is proud to rock the black and gold despite living in enemy territory.
Steelers' Kordell Stewart Shows His Appreciation
As a part of the Today's Shows Teacher Appreciation Week activities, they sent reporter Sheinelle Jones back to her hometown of Wichita to thank Powell for her efforts. Jones didn't realize when she took the assignment that she actually knew Powell. She walked into the classroom and immediately recognized her old classmate. She said they attended elementary, middle, and high school together. She wasn't the only one who would be surprised.
Powell didn't know that she was getting something bigger than a jersey.
Today Show
Former Steelers QB Kordell Stewart surprises teacher and super fan Lashay Powell.
During an appreciation ceremony at the school, Powell was brought up in front of the gymnasium to acknowledge all of her hard work. Jones told her that the Steelers know that she is a fan and they want to offer her two tickets to any game she wants to attend. The stunned disbelief on her face is immediate. Then Jones says that someone is coming to give her the tickets for the Steelers.
"You know what, we actually have someone special to give you the tickets. Is there anyone here that can give her the tickets?"
From the other side of the gymnasium, you see Stewart walk in carrying a bouquet of flowers and a basket of goodies with a Terrible Towel. Powell immediately starts to cry and scream with joy at the sight of him. Stewart gives her a huge hug and congratulates her.
"Congratulations! Well Ms. Pow Pow, on behalf of myself and the Pittsburgh Steelers, I would like to present to you two tickets to one of this season's games. So you better go out and enjoy yourself and have a great time. I would like to also give you a copy of my autobiography. We met way back in Colorado and there was a story that happened and this will give you a chance to read about it."
Powell had previously told Jones that she didn't think Stewart would possibly remember her from their meeting in Colorado, but Stewart says he does remember. He said it is part of why he brought her his book, as the story of his time in Colorado is in there.
Jones tells the audience that Powell deserves this. Her students and administrators cannot say enough about the impact she makes on her students. Powell has been teaching and giving it all to her students for 22 years while working a second job and yet, she always has a smile on her face. She says that the Today Show shared Ms. Powell's story with Intrepid Travel and they have added a $5,000 voucher to anywhere in the world so she can take her dream vacation.
Powell told reporters that the act of being appreciated mattered so much more to her than the actual gifts.
Today Show
Kordell Stewart with his biggest fan, Steelers supporter, and exceptional educator, Lashay Powell.
The Steelers' media team is always on the ball. They saw the video and responded with a message that read, "Pow Pow for the win!" and "Officially a Ms. Pow Pow fan."
Now we are all Ms. Pow Pow fans! Those of us at SteelerNation thank Ms. Powell and all of the other educators that tirelessly give of themselves to help the children in this country to grow and learn. It is also Nurses Appreciation Week, so we would be remiss if we did not thank these medical first responders who give so much, but are so often overlooked.
Share your thoughts with us about Ms. Powell, the kids in her class, Stewart, and the Steelers surprising her! Click to comment below.
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