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The Pittsburgh Steelers are truly blessed to have had a talent like Cam Heyward for the last 12 seasons. The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro has been a model of consistency on and off the field.
Cameron Heyward has recorded 8+ sacks in five of the last six seasons.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) January 25, 2023
Only one player in the NFL has recorded more seasons with 8+ sacks during that span (Yannick Ngakoue, who has done it all six years since 2017).
While he did garner some attention from the national media for his play this year securing his sixth straight Pro Bowl berth replacing Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle, Chris Jones, his name was noticeably absent when AP released their All-Pro teams for the 2022 season. While joining the folks on The Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan, they asked him how he felt about not getting recognition from outside of Pittsburgh for the things he did on the field.
"I think I’m very easily motivated when it comes to that stuff and if the jury is still out, I plan on changing the jury minds, having a good lawyer and stats to back me up," said the man who finds himself squished between team legends LC Greenwood and James Harrison for the franchise all-time sack lead according to Pro Football Reference. "I understand the work is not done. I know Pittsburgh loves me and I love Pittsburgh dearly, but for as long as it takes, I hope I can change some minds out there."
Credit: Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports
The elder Heyward brother on the Steelers finished the season with 10.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, and a career-high 23 quarterback hits.While he admits it wasn't the easiest season he's had in the black and gold, Heyward was proud of the way the guys rallied in the face of the adversity:
"I loved the way we rallied around each other and had each other's backs, didn't point the finger," he said. "To give ourselves a shot at the end of the season was very vital and important. Was it perfect? No. But I felt that in every game, I was going into the lines with dogs."
Steelers DT Consistent Off-Field Work
It was not surprising to the members of Steeler Nation to Heyward's name on the list of nominees for the league's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. It's no secret the five-time nominee for the award is dedicated to helping out his community.“I wasn’t ready for that.”
— Nationwide (@Nationwide) January 25, 2023
Watch @CamHeyward’s reaction as his family, friends, and @steelers teammates surprise and congratulate him on being a 5x Walter Payton @NFL Man of the Year nominee.
Watch the full video: https://t.co/WOYO9Jby4n pic.twitter.com/G92l9fDsND
Heyward doesn't see his work outside the game as something he needs to do, rather it's something he feels empowered to use his platform for the greater good.
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@JSKO_PHOTO
"I don’t think it’s an obligation it’s a responsibility. Because we’re blessed we have this opportunity to give back. I relish that opportunity," he said. "Working with great partners like Nationwide, they've helped to elevate that opportunity to give back. I've been blessed to be connected with great people and it's magnified what we're able to do."
So, Steeler Nation, where do you put Heyward among the Steelers' all-time greats? Do you think he gets disrespected by the media out of Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comment section or on our social media.
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