The Pittsburgh Steelers have a couple groups of brothers on the team and one set was critical in the team's 19-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. Cameron Heyward and his brother Connor, returned to a city that is meaningful to their family and the first touchdown of the game was scored by Connor as he caught a 17-yard catch from fellow rookie, Kenny Pickett in the second quarter. It was an emotional moment for the duo as Atlanta is where their father, Craig, spent three years of his NFL career as a fullback. He unfortunately passed away in 2006.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 14: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers takes the field during player introductions before the game against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field on November 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Steelers drafted Connor in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and while he has not been overly involved in the offense, he came up with a huge play when Pickett found him in the seam for a score on Sunday. His older brother shared a story about what the two did this morning and why the touchdown was an extremely emotional moment.
"If I could share a story, this morning, me and [Connor] went to my dad's grave and we got to share a moment there. I was pretty emotional when he got the touchdown. I don't like to be Mr. softie, but that like really hit me. Luckily there wasn't a camera on me because I was a mess.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, Connor Heyward (#83) catches a pass during 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
The veteran defensive lineman went into more detail regarding the moment and what it meant.
"It kind of hit me when he scored and I was a complete mess. I don't like to be the soppy person, but it was one of those moments where back home, this is where they had the Peach Bowl last year and he got his touchdown here. I like to think God and my dad are always working together."
The Heywards grew up in Suwanee, Georgia and even though their father played for five different teams over his 11 years, their home state is one of the main places they associate with their childhood and late father.
Pickett spoke with the media after the game and was in agreement with the older Heyward brother on the team that it was a special moment given the history of the brothers' family in Atlanta.
"It was special and Cam talked to the team before. I talked to Connor when we were walking out to the tunnel and said we were gonna get the win for his pops and going out there and get his first touchdown in this building. It's incredibly special. I think it's not a coincidence. Everything happens for a reason. Incredibly proud of him and really happy we got the win for both those guys."
Steelers tight end, Connor Heyward (#83) catches a pass during offseason activities after being drafted in April. | Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
The brothers both had impactful performances against Atlanta as Connor had the touchdown catch while Cam had the defense's only sack of the game on a critical third down that led to the Falcons settling for a field goal rather than inching closer to the red zone.
Were you aware of the Heywards' connection to the Falcons and the state of Georgia prior to Sunday's matchup? Let us know in the comments below!
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