Steelers‘ Cameron Heyward is a big man at 6-foot-five, 290 lbs who terrors every NFL offense with his presence. But the defensive tackle may come as an entirely different person when approached outside the field. His father, ‘Ironhead’ Craig Heyward, was a cancer survivor before the disease came back and took his life in 2006.

Highmark Caring Place in Pittsburgh is a place for children, adults, and olds grieving with their life experiences. The DT was a guest speaker at the society on Thursday and opened up about the legacy of his father, and reflected on how he wants to serve the community in memory of him.

Cam Heyward opened up about losing his dad and giving back

The defensive tackle answered questions from the children present in the room. He shared how losing his dad has made him obliged to the community service. He also opened up about his footballing career and insisted that he loves the game because it was a common interest both he and his dad shared.

Additionally, Heyward also pointed out his mother’s role at the beginning of his career, who was more concerned with her son’s career than Cam himself, after losing her husband at a young age.

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One of the children asked one final question to the DT, “If you could talk to your dad one last time, what would you talk?” To which Heyward replied, “I would say I love him. I would say thank you for the moments we did get… and we all miss you.”

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The DT also enlightened the young audience about his childhood and his upbringing, which happened to have started in the city of Pittsburgh.

Cam Heyward: A successful successor to his father’s legacy

“I was actually born in Pittsburgh, and I’ve loved this city since I was born. My Grandparents were both teachers here, my mom’s from Pittsburgh as well”, Heyward described his long connection with the City. Then he went on to talk about his father, who played at the University of Pittsburgh. Craig Heyward also played in the NFL for 11 years, before hanging up in cleats due to a tumor in 1999, mentioned the Steelers’ DT.

“He had lost sight at his right eye, and we thought that was the end of it. Years later, I’m in high school, we found out the tumor had come back”, Heyward revealed. His father would also struggle with strokes leading up to 2006 and became paralyzed on his right side, the DT revealed saddening insights about his father’s final days.

Craig passed away in the summer before Heyward’s senior year. He didn’t live to see his son successful and continue his NFL dream. But the tough man with a soft heart is making sure his dad feels proud every moment about him, and his work for the community.

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