Heading into the off-season, no one, including the members of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization knew if Stephon Tuitt would return to the field in 2022 or retire. Fans of the team finally got the news on Wednesday afternoon that Tuitt would indeed retire from the NFL. Aside from the implications of what this means for the team on the field, defensive tackle and team leader Cameron Heyward spoke to the media on Thursday and addressed his friend's decision to hang up the cleats.
Heyward was one of the few in the loop on how Tuitt was feeling throughout the off-season thus far:
Steelers captain Cam Heyward today: “We’ve had some talks. I was optimistic. But he’s got to do what’s best for him. Can’t be selfish and just think I want Stephon Tuitt the player. I’m more concerned about Stephon Tuitt the person.”
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) June 2, 2022
He said Tuitt told him it was “50-50.”
Heyward doesn't hold anything against Tuitt for making this decision.
"I can't be mad at a guy for that. It's just unfortunate. I've known Tuitt before he was even drafted. To see where he came from and he was with my other brother playing basketball and he was the kid on his little Gameboy in the back very quiet," said Heyward . "We always joke he was going on basketball trips for football. He really came out of his shell and to see the type of man, the type of teammate he was, I was able to rely on him so much."
Heyward's friendship with Tuitt grew as they both were members of the Steelers and while having Tuitt on the sidelines would certainly benefit the Steelers, Heyward is more concerned with Tuitt the person.
"I can't be selfish and just think, ‘Oh, I want Stephon Tuitt the player.’ I’m more concerned about Stephon Tuitt the person."
Heyward mentioned that it was awesome getting to play with Tuitt and that the two certainly were able to cause some issues for opposing defenses.
"We would do a lot of special things, obviously we went to a Super Bowl together, but we created a lot of havoc and we had a lot of fun doing it," said Heyward.
It was more than just football for the two Steelers as Heyward remarked on the relationship that they have built off of the field over the years. He expects their friendship to continue even without Tuitt in the locker room every day.
"We got to watch our kids become friends and our wives became close. Those are the things I appreciate and aren't just going to stop now."
AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar
Heyward mentions that not only himself, but Tyson Alualu, defensive line coach, Mike Dunbar and head coach, Mike Tomlin went out of their ways to make sure that Tuitt was reminded of the Steelers brotherhood and that everyone would welcome him back with open arms on the team. Ultimately, it wasn't enough to recruit Tuitt back.
One of the proudest moments for Heyward was not necessarily football related, but an accomplishment that Tuitt recently achieved in the month of May.
"I'd just like to say I'm proud of him for graduating. That was something that was really big and monumental in his life, something he can look back on. He had to go to class every single day like Jerome [Bettis] and I know they both hated hit," joked Heyward.
Tuitt will be missed by more than Heyward. Fans of the Steelers organization will miss his energy, attitude and his skill. The last season he played was back in 2020 when he had a career high 11 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. He was the perfect compliment to Heyward and other members of the Steelers front seven.
You can catch the full interview from Heyward on YouTube, here.
What do you think of Heyward's comments on Tuitt's retirement? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
