Pittsburgh Steelers star DeAngelo Williams gears up for his team’s win over New York Jets by hugging breast cancer surviving women

DEANGELO WILLIAMS has won hearts and minds in America by giving a group of breast cancer survivors a pitchside view of a Pittsburgh Steelers game.

The running back lost his mother to the disease in 2014 – and has committed to helping cancer research.

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But ahead of the Steelers’ 31-13 victory over the New York Jets, the 33-year-old took a break from his pre-match routine to chat to a group of women he had invited to the game.

Williams also arranged for a group of t-shirts to be made, saying ‘Pittsburgh is stronger than cancer’ to raise money for charity.

The NFL star said before the game: “It’s not just a colour, it’s a culture for me because of the family I lost to this disease and the people, the extended family I have met, survivors, friends and family members.”

In fact, the tragedy goes further than just Williams’ mother – he has had aunts who have also carried a mutated gene, which mean they are more susceptible to getting breast cancer.

His mother was the last of several aunts to pass away.

Williams added: "That's what I want people with cancer - and people who know others who are battling cancer - to realise: Cancer is empowering.

"You have a disease that you didn't contract from anybody else, and depending on how you deal with it mentally and how you attack, you can get busy living, or you can get busy dying.

"You have a decision to make, and there's no in-between. There's no 'eh, I'll fight it today but not tomorrow.'

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"You either thrive or you survive. My mother was the epitome of thriving. She lived. And she still lives on to this day."

Williams' Jets opponent Brandon Marshall even donated a pair of boots to the cause for the Steeler to auction off for funds.

Players from both sides wore pink gloves and had pink towels as part of their kit throughout the game.