The Unseen Game: Dave Arrigo's Battle Behind the Lens

You see his work everywhere, really. Those iconic shots of Steelers players mid-stride, the roar of the crowd, the intensity of a crucial moment—they're often courtesy of Dave Arrigo's lens. He's a fixture, a veteran, a true Pittsburgh sports photography legend. But what many don't see, what happens when the stadium lights dim and the crowds disperse, is a quiet, incredibly personal battle that Dave faces, three nights a week.

Because, you see, Dave Arrigo isn't just a photographer; he's also a fighter, grappling with failing kidneys. For years now, his routine has been a testament to sheer, unyielding passion: day-trips spent capturing the heart-stopping drama of professional sports, then evenings spent tethered to a dialysis machine, a lifeline that keeps him going. It's a stark contrast, isn't it? The high-octane energy of a Steelers game against the quiet, rhythmic whir of medical equipment.

It wasn't always this way, of course. There was a time when Dave felt a peculiar fatigue, a kind of bone-deep exhaustion he just couldn't shake. He brushed it off, like many of us do, thinking it was just a stubborn flu, or maybe the demands of a relentless schedule finally catching up. But the truth, when it came, was a heavy blow: his kidneys were failing. IgA nephropathy, a condition he'd quietly carried for decades, had finally, dramatically, escalated.

The initial diagnosis? Honestly, it was a shock. The kind that leaves you reeling, questioning everything. But for Dave, that shock quickly morphed into a steely resolve. He wasn't going to let this define him, not really. And so, a new rhythm took hold. Monday, Wednesday, Friday nights are now dedicated to dialysis, 3.5 hours each session, a process that quite literally cleanses his blood. This careful scheduling, by the way, is no accident; it allows him to be exactly where he wants to be during the day: on the sidelines, camera in hand, doing what he loves.

And he does love it. Oh, how he loves it. The thrill of the shot, the camaraderie of the press box, the electric atmosphere of a packed stadium—these are the things that fuel him. Even as his body works harder than most, even as the waiting list for a new kidney looms large, Dave Arrigo keeps pushing forward. His dedication isn't just professional; it's deeply personal, almost a defiance against the illness that tries to hold him back. He's there, capturing those indelible moments, making sure the story of the game is told, frame by painstaking frame.

You could say his work is a kind of therapy, a powerful distraction. It keeps him connected, keeps him moving, keeps his spirits remarkably high. And speaking of connections, he's not alone in this. His wife, Cathy, is his rock, a constant source of support. Friends, colleagues, even players he's photographed over the years—they all rally around him, too. It’s a testament to the man himself, really, to the genuine spirit he brings to every interaction.

So, as Dave Arrigo continues his work, documenting the glory and grit of Pittsburgh sports, he also embodies a different kind of heroism. It’s a quiet, everyday heroism found in perseverance, in finding joy amidst struggle, and in the unwavering hope for a healthier tomorrow. A new kidney, perhaps, that will allow him to continue his life’s passion without the nightly tether. Until then, you can be sure to find him where the action is, lens focused, spirit unbroken, ready for the next perfect shot.