Pretty strange. I can't imagine that a mining family in W.V. would send such a strange request after this tragedy. This smells like a scam to me.
I'll bet those tickets are on eBay even as I write and read.
Perhaps you are unfamiliar with Steeler fans?
This isn't any stranger than Hank Williams, Jr. showing up (in his Steeler cap) at the bedside of the comatose mine survivor.
SD