Ramont Small Jr. never doubted the Pittsburgh Steelers would make it to Super Bowl XLV.
In fact, the Monessen youth, known as R.J., chose to celebrate his 16th birthday Oct. 25 at Cowboys Stadium, where Dallas took on the New York Giants - just so he could check out the venue.
"I predicted back then that the Steelers would play the Packers in the Super Bowl, so I wanted to see where the best seats would be," R.J. said. "The stadium is incredible."
R.J. will visit Cowboys Stadium again this weekend to watch the Super Bowl with his parents, Tiffany and Ramont Small; twin siblings, Brianna and Brenden; and grandparents Rodney and Joyce Merritt, all of Monessen.
"This will be my first Super Bowl so I'm pretty excited," said R.J., a carrier for The Valley Independent.
The standout Monessen High School football and track athlete said he has great memories of his trip to Dallas.
Covered head to toe in black and gold, R.J. said he and his grandfather stuck out among the Cowboys faithful. He wondered how Dallas fans would react to them.
"The fans there were extremely nice. Everyone was real respectful," he said.
Before the game, he made a big sign stating, "Reserve our seats for Feb. 6," and took it to the stadium.
Two Steelers fans from Dallas asked to join in a photograph featuring the sign.
"The sign definitely got a lot of attention," R.J. said with a laugh.
Although he faced skeptics, R.J. never backed down from his early season prediction.
"He has said all along the Steelers were going to the Super Bowl," said Rodney Merritt, a Steelers season ticket holder.
Merritt said he was able to get Super Bowl tickets for him and his wife through the Pittsburgh Steelers season ticket-holder lottery.
R.J.'s parents obtained tickets for the family through a third party seller. Joyce Merritt said the family will leave Friday.
"This is our summer vacation," she said.
R.J. said he has been a die-hard Steelers fan from the time he could walk.
So, is he predicting the outcome of Super Bowl XLV?
"No predictions. I just hope they win," he said.
