Cam Heyward is everything the Steelers could want in a player
Cam Heyward has been causing havoc as an anchor on the defensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers for over a decade. Heyward has taken his impact beyond the football field as well as he has been consistent with giving back to the city of Pittsburgh. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is considered […]
Cam Heyward has been causing havoc as an anchor on the defensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers for over a decade. Heyward has taken his impact beyond the football field as well as he has been consistent with giving back to the city of Pittsburgh.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is considered to be the most prestigious that the league has to offer, and it’s given to the player that best exhibits outstanding philanthropy and community service as well as top-level play on the football field. For the fifth time in his career, Heyward was named the Steelers' nominee on Tuesday.
Heyward has the chance to join Steelers royalty if he takes home the honor. Past winners in Pittsburgh include Hall of Famers Franco Harris (1976), Joe Greene (1979), Lynn Swann (1981), and Jerome Bettis (2001).
Speaking of Bettis, he was the one who announced that Heyward was the Steelers' nominee during a team meeting on Tuesday.
"What I have seen from Cam is that his is a genuine commitment," said Bettis. "He's genuinely intertwined in his foundation. He is committed to it. He gets his teammates involved, and everybody wants to support what he's doing. That's a great sign of a leader, that he wants to step up in the community, but he also asks his teammates to step up as well, showing them the way.
"It's critically important to be that leader because this organization is one that was founded in the community, is part of the community, always has been part of the community. It's imperative and important that the players give of themselves to this community that supports them so much and gives so much to them. We have those leaders in this organization that understand that and continue to do that. Cam is doing that. I think it leaves a lasting legacy for this organization and for the players involved."
After Heyward accepted the nomination, he quickly began to head back towards his seat until Bettis told the All-Pro that he had to say something.
"That guy right there (points at Bettis), I didn't get a chance to play with him. But, his impact affected me. I had Brett Keisel, I had Troy Polamalu, I had Aaron Smith, and they talked about that guy," Heyward said. "That guy made it so he could help others and that's all I try to do. Being around other people's causes and things they care about that meant the world because I got to see what they really cared about, and I wanted to do that as well."
"Mike T does stuff, everybody does stuff. If there's something dear to your heart, find that thing that you care about. Thank you guys for always supporting me, I know I can't do it without you guys."
Heyward started "The Heyward House" in 2015. The inspiration came from his challenges with asthma as a child which made it difficult to believe playing a demanding sport like football was possible. Also. After losing his father as a teenager, he saw the struggles that his mother faced as a single parent which made him want to make sure others in those situations felt support.
That passion drives Heyward to visit kids with serious medical conditions, take them shopping for clothes, and get birthday gifts for those who don't receive them often. So, it's no surprise why Heyward would be the Steelers' choice for this honor.
Heyward will wear a special decal on his helmet for the rest of the season for being nominated. If he wins, he will receive a patch to wear on his jersey for the rest of his career.
Each nominee will receive a donation of up to $40,000 in their name to a charity of their choice. Whoever is named the winner will get up to $250,000 thanks to the NFL Foundation and the awards sponsor Nationwide.
Heyward and the other 31 nominees will be recognized during Super Bowl week in February. The winner will be announced the Thursday before the big game during the NFL Honors ceremony.
Feature image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
