Cam Heyward's secret to late-career success gets revealed by Steelers HC Mike Tomlin
If you thought Tom Brady was an ageless wonder in the NFL, then think again because Pittsburgh Steelers DL Cam Heyward continues to age like fine wine. Coming off an injury-plagued season and contract dispute this offseason, some wondered if Pittsburgh made a bad decision to not ask Heywatd for a pay cut much less […]
If you thought Tom Brady was an ageless wonder in the NFL, then think again because Pittsburgh Steelers DL Cam Heyward continues to age like fine wine.
Coming off an injury-plagued season and contract dispute this offseason, some wondered if Pittsburgh made a bad decision to not ask Heywatd for a pay cut much less extend his contract.
Well, he's proving them all wrong, with Coach Tomlin explaining why Captain Cam isn't slowing down anytime soon:
Cam Heyward still atop his game
"It's who he is. That's why we were attracted to him. He brought that with him from Columbus, Ohio," said Mike Tomlin when asked if Heyward is the ultimate embodiment of the Steeler way. "In terms of why he's able to be uniquely effective for a long period of time…He's a power player who happens to be athletic. Those power players grow old more gracefully than the oversized athletes. I imagine at 45 you couldn't move Cam out of a gap. You know what I mean. The power players generally age more gracefully. And he is a power player."
For Heyward, he already has three sacks on the season, which is more than all of last year, to go along with 10 QB hits and four tackles for loss. At 35 years old and playing one of the most demanding and physical positions in a sport full of demanding and physical positions, he's still playing at an elite level.
And the secret that Tomlin shared regarding Heyward's ability to play so long is one that Heyward has been preaching about since the offseason, going as far to say that he could play upwards of five more years in the black and gold:
"My game is different from everybody else in this league," Heyward told Dale Lolley of Steelers.com "I like to think I can play the run and the pass. And that's why I'm different. Last year Mike (Tomlin) brought to my attention, the thing that's really cool is you watch powerlifters, and my game is built on power and technique. And (powerlifters) go into their 40s. And so, you know, that's what kind of research I'm doing behind the scenes."
Well, I think Steelers fans are more than pleased with Heyward's studies.
