Entering his 15th NFL season, Pittsburgh Steelers' Cameron Heyward hopes to continue to be effective on and off the field. With 14 years of playing experience, Heyward has quite an impressive resume. In those 14 years, Heyward has been named to the Pro Bowl seven times and adds four First-Team All-Pro honors, one Second-Team All-Pro honor, and a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Since the 2017 season, Heyward has only missed the Pro Bowl once.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Cam Heyward gets ready to make a play during Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns.
The year Heyward missed the Pro Bowl was during the 2023 season when he suffered a hamstring injury in training camp. Every NFL player dreams of one day hoisting the Lombardi Trophy and putting on a gold jacket. Winning a Super Bowl or being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is extremely difficult and rare. Either of these accomplishments is the pinnacle of professional football and shapes the legacies of many players.
With the hopes of winning his first Super Bowl, Heyward's legacy is shaping out quite fine. Whether he can win a Super Bowl or be inducted into the Hall of Fame, Heyward's legacy is greater than his accomplishments on the football field.
Heyward appeared on The Pivot Podcast this week with host Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder to discuss what he wants his legacy to be when he decides to walk away from the game. Heyward, like any other player, wants to be remembered for the things accomplished on the field. Heyward still desires to win a Super Bowl, and someday be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as the Steelers Hall of Honor.
During his appearance on The Pivot, Heyward also explains how being a resource to younger players and his community is a part of his legacy.
"Legacy in people are molded because of how you played and how you were in the community, man that's special," Heyward said. "When you look at this game and if you're not passing on what you know to others, shame on you. When I got in this league everybody was open about how to play this game, how to take care of your body, and how to be in the community. I don't start my foundation, The Heyward House, without guys like Troy, Brett Keisel, or Aaron Smith."
Heyward is the product of having good veterans in the locker room, and now he is paying it forward. The NFL continues to benefit from having guys like Heyward around. Guys who teach the younger guys how to be professionals, and not just on the field. Guys who show younger players how to be connected and serve within their communities, just as they show them how to approach the game the proper way. All of these things are important to the success of an NFL player's legacy.
NY Times
Troy Polamalu runs back an interception during a home game at Heinz Field.
Steelers' Cameron Heyward Continues Father's Legacy
The late Craig Heyward, the father of Cameron and Connor Heyward also played professional football. Craig played 11 seasons in the NFL as a fullback and running back. During the 1995 season, Craig rushed for his only 1,000-yard season and made the Pro Bowl. However, Cameron remembers his father not only for his on-field accomplishments, but his work in the community.
"That's not just my legacy, but it's everybody speaking on his legacy and how he had an effect on people," said Heyward. " I would watch him on YouTube and see him going to Children's Hospital and not looking for the camera, but the camera follows him."
It's safe to say that the family has a long track record of being model citizens and beloved professional football players.
Associated Press
Steelers' Cam Heyward accepting the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
In 2023, Heyward was awarded the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his charitable contributions to the community. One of those contributions is the Heyward House, which is dedicated to impacting the lives of the youth. Much like his father, Heyward is a resource to his community. Heyward has created his legacy while maintaining and furthering his father's.
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