The Pittsburgh Steelers have always prided themselves as an organization to be an example for others. Whether it's the six Lombardi Trophies that grace the halls of the team's facilities, or the 32 busts of past legends in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there isn't an organization quite like the one the Rooney family created in 1933.
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Steelers' Art Rooney and his family.
Being the model of consistency in the NFL, those that wear the Black and Gold are held to the same standard as the greats that have come before them, and leave a lasting legacy that extends beyond their final snaps. This standard has helped Steelers players past and present achieve football immortality. Players like Ben Roethlisberger simply await their time until they receive a Gold Jacket, while others currently on the roster continue to put in the work to earn the honor.
On an episode of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's North Shore Drive Podcast, insider Brian Batko shared his thoughts regarding which current Steelers players have a Hall of Fame trajectory.
"I think the other two guys (not named TJ Watt) who very well could already be in, but still hopefully for their sakes have a few years left, if not more, are Cam Heyward and Russell Wilson. Cleary Cam is in that mode now where he's starting to think not just about helping this team in 2024, not just about being a leader and mentor to the young players, not just about putting a Lombardi Trophy in the case, but about his legacy. It's winding down for him. Not saying he's prioritizing that over team success or anything, but hey, another 10-sack season, that is something voters will look at. Another All-Pro season, that is something Hall of Fame selectors will look at. He's already got quite a few of each on his ledger, but the more you can do, the more it's gonna maybe help put you in Canton someday."
There are certainly other players on the Steelers roster that have put themselves into a position to reach the Hall of Fame. It's a tough place to get into, with the qualifications for certain positions only getting tougher and tougher everyday. Winning Super Bowl rings, though an amazing feat, isn't viewed as an immediate ticket to one of sports' greatest honors.
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Steelers' Cameron Heyward (97), TJ Watt (90), and Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) celebrate after a big play.
Setting records, impact on the community, and influence on the game have become the biggest categories to focus on when selecting candidates. Luckily, Heyward has done all three.
Has Heyward Done Enough With The Steelers To Reach Canton?
Since being taken in the first-round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Heyward has worked his way towards being one of the top players at his position. With 80.5 career sacks, 647 tackles, three All-Pro selections, and a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Heyward has elevated himself into a unique position among the league's best defensive linemen. The hope for Heyward is that he is able to play a few more seasons before waiting the five year minimum to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but as Head Coach Mike Tomlin likes to say, Heyward has seen more games than what he has left in the tank.
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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward signs autographs during a practice in 2018 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Where Heyward has made arguably the biggest mark in his career, is his humanitarian efforts off the field. His charity, the Heyward House, which was created in the memory of his father Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, has been a highlight for what Cam has meant to the city of Pittsburgh. Heyward has been a shining example to the next generation of Steelers players of what it means to wear the Black and Gold.
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