Cameron Heyward
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Tackle | Ohio State University | 13 |
Demonstrates Excellence on the Field
Over his 13 NFL seasons, Cameron Heyward has become a leading voice in the locker room and is known for producing some of the best defensive line play in the league. His 78.5 career sacks are the most by a Steelers defensive lineman since sacks became a statistic in 1982, third-most by an active NFL defensive tackle, and third-most in franchise history. His 116 tackles for loss and 177 quarterback hits both rank third among active defensive linemen. In the nine seasons that he's served as defensive captain, the Steelers have ranked top-three in in sacks six times including five seasons sitting at No. 1.
Heyward's personal on-field accolades include six Pro Bowls, three Associated Press First Team All-Pros, three Pro Football Focus First Team All-Pro titles, and two Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL nods among others. Additionally, Heyward is the only the second Steelers' interior defensive linemen (DT-NT) in franchise history to be voted Associated Press First- Team All-Pro more than once, joining Hall of Famer Joe Greene.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
In 2023, Heyward served as a pillar for the Pittsburgh community. He began the year with a new project, an annual toy and coat drive with the Foster Love Project, providing gifts and outerwear to kids in foster care. Then, at training camp, he hosted a Teachers' Appreciation Dinner highlighted by a surprise donation of $10,000 to fund the teachers' classroom projects. After an injury that sidelined him for six games, Heyward invited high school athletes, nominated by their coaches and who also suffered injuries, to the Steelers' practice facility. There, they watched practice, met the team, and engaged in discussions about overcoming adversity. To cap off the experience, Heyward surprised them with suite tickets for a Pitt game.
During Week 8 of the season, Heyward hosted his second annual Cam's Kindness Week. Heyward started the week at UPMC Children's Hospital where he recorded a book reading to play on patients' TVs, then hosted a Kindness Week Kickoff Party. He played games with the kids, took photos, and passed out plushies. Heyward also purchased a meal for all the staff, healthcare, workers, and families later in the week.
On his second day, Heyward participated in Meeting at the 50-Yard Line as part of the Steelers' Social Justice Committee, speaking with students at Woodland Hills Senior High about the adversity they've faced supporting each other. Later, he met with the Café Momentum interns, who have all been affected by the criminal justice system. He spoke to them about working towards their goals, before cooking and eating with the teens
On day three, Heyward toured The Caring Place, a haven for children struggling with the loss of a loved one. He then talked with 50 kids, their parents, and volunteers about his own journey with grief, which was followed by a group art therapy project.
On day four, Heyward surprised the Westinghouse Academy football team at their practice and talked to the group about working to achieve their goals. He also catered a dinner after practice and purchased formalwear outfits for the team's end of year banquet.
He ended the week at Brashear High School, opening the newest location of Craig's Closet, which provides young men with free dress clothes for interviews, internships, and more.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Heyward has always had a heart for community work. After being drafted in 2011, he became involved in Urban Impact, a faith-based organization that provides many different types of support to kids and families. In 2014, Heyward launched The Heyward House Foundation on his birthday with a party for kids served by local agencies. These children rarely have the opportunity to celebrate their own birthdays, and the foundation has been annually uplifting the spirits of 300 kids.
In 2017, in memory of his father who died of brain cancer, Heyward initiated a collaboration with The Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation. Together, they granted $40,000 in Voices of Hope Scholarships, enabling brain tumor patients and families to pursue post-secondary education at accredited institutions. That same year he began his annual Thanksgiving food distribution with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, servicing 1,400 families since its inception.
In 2018, Heyward launched Craig's Closet which has served over 700 young men and currently has 16 locations. Craig's Closet is inspired by his father, Craig Heyward, who only owned one suit through high school and college. Last year, Craig's Closet partnered with Pittsburgh Public Schools, setting a goal to install a closet in every PPS school. From Craig's Closet emerged Heyward's Suiting Up for Success mentorship program. This initiative nominates students displaying exceptional character, providing them with custom-made suits and dinner opportunities to connect with industry professionals aligned with their interests.
In 2020, Heyward launched the Rufus and Judy Jordan Literacy Project to honor the memory of his grandfather, as both his grandparents were long-time educators in Pittsburgh Public Schools, installing five Little Free Libraries for underserved communities. To support after school needs, his "Blessings In A Backpack" program, has provided over 9,300 meals for kids to take home nutritious food over the weekend. Additionally, Heyward has donated $280,000 to various organizations through the Steelers Social Justice Fund since its inception in 2018.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Heyward's character and his contributions to his community have been consistently recognized by his teammates, the Pittsburgh media and community, and Steelers' leadership. But of all the people he shows up for, his family means the most. And to Heyward, being a great son, brother, husband, and father means teaching his children the value of service by taking them to community events. It's helping raise his younger siblings after losing his father. It's building a foundation alongside his mother to honor his memory.
