1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: George Hazimanolis
October 20, 2014 412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org
WILL’S STORY: A STEELER’S STAND AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
PITTSBURGH--William Gay was eight years old when his mother was murdered by Will’s
stepfather in Tallahassee, Florida. Now a Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Gay volunteers his time
raising awareness about intimate partner violence. WQED’s Michael Bartley tells the emotional
story in the new documentary, Will’s Story: A Steeler’s Stand Against Domestic Violence
premiering Thursday, October 30 at 8 p.m. on WQED-TV.
Along with compelling stories from local survivors, the program includes interviews with Gay’s
teammates Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, and Steelers
president Art Rooney who share their thoughts on Gay’s advocacy.
According to the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, a woman is assaulted every
nine seconds in the United States. In the spring of 2013 at the Women’s Center’s largest
fundraiser, Gay spoke openly about being a victim of domestic violence in the hope that others
would do the same. After his mother’s murder, Gay was angry, hateful and rebellious.
Eventually, Gay’s uncle gave him an ultimatum: “Live in the streets where you’ll likely die, or
play football.” His success as a Pittsburgh Steeler also gave Gay a platform to help others.
“Coming forward about this helps me cope with my own life. It helps me to talk about my
mother’s story,” says Gay, “I wake up with a smile on my face every day because I’m not letting
her life be taken in vain. If I can just help one person to speak up and say something, I did my
job.”
Along with Gay’s story, Brookline resident Deborah Murphy openly talks about her past
struggles with domestic violence, which culminated in a violent 2002 hostage situation and the
arrest of her estranged husband. Murphy explains how the Center helped her through the daily
struggles of domestic violence, as well as adapting to life as a survivor.
In advance of the November 30 documentary, Bartley will interview William Gay along with
Women’s Center CEO Shirl Regan in a special episode of conversation@wqed, Wednesday,
October 29 at 7:30 p.m. Viewers are encouraged to send questions and comments for Gay and
Regan via Twitter by using #conversationatWQED. Additional information on domestic
violence and local resources are available at wqed.org/domesticviolence.

2. WQED changes lives by creating and sharing outstanding public media that educates, entertains,
and inspires. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood
Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh;
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(89.3-2FM) and online at www.wqed.org/fm; local and national television and radio productions;
WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and iQ: smartmedia, WQED’s Educational initiative
(www.wqed.org/edu).
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