PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Hard to argue any Steeler has played harder every play on the field this year than Cam Heyward. As you prepare to watch the Steelers-Chiefs game and maybe reflect this holiday weekend, think about the man and his impact.
Heyward lost his father when he was a teenager after a seven-year battle with a brain tumor. Cam and his three brothers then raised by their mother. Now like the tradition his mom set for him, Heyward is attempting to do that with his son and two daughters.
"It means the most to me to show them how to give back," Heyward said. "My mom and dad both did that. I remember when my dad passed away, seeing YouTube videos of him at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh."
"When I was little, my mom was very big on us being able to donate blankets throughout the city. They showed me we are in a very fortunate situation and we have a chance to give back and we should do it. I've enjoyed that."
Heyward is attempting to become the fourth Steeler to win the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award-joining Jerome Bettis, Franco Harris and Joe Greene. It's the fourth time he's been one of the 32 nominees for the award.
"I appreciate these moments," Heyward said being the Steelers representative for the award. "I appreciate a chance to give back. It's valuable for younger guys. There are 32 guys that get to set an example for their team. I'm going to do whatever I can to set the example-go into our communities and have an impact."
He says he doesn't take this award lightly. He's proud to be in a group of nominees that includes former teammate Kelvin Beachum, fellow Ohio State players Sam Hubbard (Bengals) and Denzel Ward (Browns), Dak Prescott and Derrick Henry.
"If you are out in the community," Heyward said. "You create those special relationships and interactions that you never know how they will change someone's life in the future. It might be you getting to know a kid's name."
"If I can say I helped in any way possible I will be very happy about that."
Heyward says he feels a responsibility to not only be the best player, but the best person. He's attempting to find more and more ways to give back setting up his foundation, The Heyward House, to donate to countless organizations. The 32-year-old says he wants his children to understand they are in a blessed situation.
It's not just his biological children or family, but his football family on the South Side. When Heyward found out rookie Najee Harris, who is 2,500 miles from home, was 'being a Grinch' and didn't have anything set up for the holidays. Heyward stopped by Harris' house with a Christmas tree.
"That little thing he did, giving me a tree," Harris said. "No one in my life ever got me a tree to put up. He does a lot of things in the community and for the team."
"He sets a good example of being a man in life, taking care of responsibilities. A lot of people look up to you and he sets a good example of how a man should be. A man of his family, does a lot of events with a lot of people inviting him all over. I hope he gets that award."
"He's a guy that's always throwing events through his foundation and they've always done great things in the community," said linebacker TJ Watt. "He tries to get the rookies, early, to participate in his stuff so we can see how his impact leaves a footprint on this city."
"It's hard to put into words," Heyward said of interactions he's had in Pittsburgh. "I can recall one time when a young girl came to one of our events and she was taking toilet paper. I didn't know why. We didn't know why. She said she didn't know when she would have a chance to have toilet paper again. It broke my heart."
"Stuff like this matters. Stuff like this gives me an opportunity to give back and find out what kids really need."
Heyward's nomination for this award isn't breaking news, but hopefully during this holiday season it's a reminder of the good Heyward and others do for all of us.
