Former Steelers OL Ramon Foster's Hilarious Story About Celebrating Cam Heyward's Extension In 2015

The Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 had to sign an extension with an up-and-coming defensive player by the name of Cam Heyward. He'd posted five sacks, then seven, then seven and a half, in the three seasons he started at least 13 games. He was proving himself to be an important part of the team. In 2023, with the circumstances a little different, the team again needed to sign a budding defensive player. This time, his name was Alex Highsmith. 

Just like eight years ago, when the organization found a way to get Heyward inked to a new lucrative deal before training camp, they got it done this offseason before the players report to Latrobe, PA. It took just a little longer this time around, but that can happen in a negotiation with a player who just posted a league-leading five forced fumbles and 14.5 sacks. 

Heyward's new deal was reported nine days before the start of camp by NFL media that year. Now, with Highsmith agreeing to his contract on Wednesday, that makes him one of the highest paid at the position in the NFL - and signed eight days before camp. 

Former Steelers offensive guard Ramon Foster co-hosts The Ramon Foster Show, which airs on DK Pittsburgh Sports with Dejan Kovacevic. Foster was on the team when Heyward inked his whopper in 2015. Kovacevic fondly remembers how Foster let everyone at St. Vincent clearly know just how happy he was for his teammate that day. 

Kovacevic shared that the big man stood up in the middle of warmups at Chuck Noll Field and shouted out for anyone listening or not to hear "Cam got paid!" Foster nodded along with a great big grin on his face. 

There was also a question involved during Kovacevic's tale as to who will play the "Ramon Foster" role in helping the stud outside linebacker know that his hard work paying off is being recognized by his peers. 

Steelers' Ramon Foster Has One "Obvious" Choice To Fill His Shoes

The former Tennessee Volunteers lineman instantly said that Heyward doing something for Highsmith is the clear answer, but gave a second option he made a good case for. Foster said it should be his partner in crime TJ Watt. Foster believes his doing something would send the strongest message.        

"I hope it’s TJ because that means that bro, you were good enough on that side to get an extension on this team," he said. "A legendary team, a team where there was a guy in front of him, Bud Dupree, that didn’t get this extension in Pittsburgh."

Well, both Heyward and Watt, as the decorated veteran pair on the team, are excellent choices for the "Ramon Foster" role, it was an offensive lineman that stood up to the task in 2015. Lawrence Timmons, William Gay and Will Allen were the veterans on the defensive side at that time. For whatever reason, none of them were offering very public support for their teammate. So, one of the vets on the other side of the ball did. 

Stephon Tuitt is perhaps the closest comparison for a "TJ type" back then, but had only just played his rookie season and wasn't starting. It's understandable for a second-year guy not to want to necessarily draw any attention for non-football in camp. 

If it's a lineman who steps up this year, the betting favorite would probably be Mason Cole. The veteran center, who came to Pittsburgh in free agency via the Minnesota Vikings last offseason, was pegged by Foster to be the definitive leader of the line in 2023. Publicly recognizing a big victory for a well-respected player on the team on the other side of the ball should get you points as a team leader, not just a unit leader. 

What did you think of Foster's showing of love for Heyward? Who's your money on for a public appreciation ceremony in Highsmith's honor at St. Vincent College? Comment below.

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