Steelers Throwback Thursday: Connor joins Cameron for Heyward reunion
Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series.
In 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers – who’ve already made a case for their host city becoming “the Pennsylvania city of brotherly love” over Philadelphia – selected Connor Heyward in the sixth round (208 overall) of the NFL Draft. The move reunited the young man with older brother, Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward. On this Steelers Throwback Thursday, we look back at the post-Draft reunion.
From Big Ten to the Big Time
Both Cam and Connor Heyward played collegiate football in the Big Ten; Cam at Ohio State and Connor at Michigan State. It’s a football conference the Pittsburgh Steelers have traditionally scouted very well.
Connor started as a running back with the Spartans and was a dual threat in both the run and pass games. After losing the starting rusher position, he entered the transfer portal only to return to Michigan State, redshirt a year, and then became an H-back/tight end in a COVID-19 shortened 2020 season and led the team in rushing.
The Steelers already had Derek Watt, the brother of T.J. Watt, at fullback, but during the 2022 NFL Draft they opted to select versatile multi-back Connor who, then, subsequently, made the 53-man roster following his first training camp.
The Heywards became the fourth set of siblings on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster at that time.
The two brothers shared a special moment during the regular season. The pair had gone to visit the grave of their father, famed Craig “Ironhead” Heyward (their older brother is also named Craig), the morning before they suited up to play the Falcons.
During the game, Connor earned his first career NFL touchdown on a pass from fellow rookie, quarterback Kenny Pickett.
The Heyward brothers seemed to have a similar relationship to the Watt brothers, at least publicly. There was teasing and advice-giving. Give and take.
But there were also moments that showed Cam taking Connor under his wing, especially at camp and after the Atlanta game. The vet helping the rookie navigate “the game.”
With so many family members on the @steelers we should do the Fast and Furious movies @TheFastSaga pic.twitter.com/fRH3wTrjul
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) April 29, 2023
The family connections in Pittsburgh are strong. Would we, as fans, expect anything else from the Steel City?
