Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, Connor Heyward is emerging as a critical member of the offense. He functions best as a receiving threat, as well as a solid special teamer. His older brother Cam Heyward is also a Steeler - a defensive tackle and team captain. In Sunday's Week 13 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, both brothers got to be heroes.
Steelers Connor Heyward, and Cam Heyward -- Justin Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pickett to Heyward
The Steelers are known for their love of having brothers on the roster and the Heyward's are just the latest set. Any concerns about the younger Heyward getting lost in the shadows of his older brother are quickly being dissipated. He is finding his own path.
In the middle of the second quarter, Kenny Pickett dropped an absolute dime, for 17 yards, to Connor, taking advantage of some blown coverage by Atlanta at the back of the end zone.
Pickett is growing as a QB every game and is going to take advantage of opportunities like this whenever he can. However, this meet-up was a bit more planned. Prior to the start of the game, Pickett spoke to Connor in the tunnel and let him know that he was going to try to get him a score.
Family Ties in ATL
The Heyward brothers are the sons of the late, great, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward. While Heyward Sr. is most notably known for his time in New Orleans as a Saint, he did play in Atlanta, years before Connor was even born. During the three seasons he played for the Falcons, he had a career-high 1,083 yards in 1995. It was also the last time a fullback had a 1,000-yard rushing season and went to a Pro Bowl.
In addition, the Heyward family has ties to Georgia. It was their primary state of residence and Ironhead is interred in Lawrenceville, about 35 miles outside of Atlanta. Prior to the start of the game, the family made a trip to pay homage to their father who succumbed to cancer in 2006.
Photo credit Getty Mike Powell / Staff
After the game, Pickett told reporters that he didn’t think the connection was random:
"It was special and Cam talked to the team before, and I talked to Connor when we were walking out to the tunnel, saying we were going to get the win for his pops today," Pickett said. "For him going out there and getting his first touchdown in this building, I think is incredibly special."
Heyward Family Moment
After the game, Cam Heyward also spoke to the media to let them know everyone knew just how much the score meant to him and his family:
“If I could share a story, this morning, me and [Connor] went to my dad’s grave and we got to share a moment there. I was pretty emotional when he got the touchdown. I don’t like to be Mr. soppy, but that like really hit me. Luckily there wasn’t a camera on me, because I was a mess."
He elaborated on the emotion behind it:
“It kind of hit me when he scored and I was a complete mess. I don’t like to be the soppy person, but it was one of those moments where back home, this is where they had the Peach Bowl last year and he got his touchdown here. I like to think God and my dad are always working together.”
While the older brother was proud of the younger brother, Cam had an impact on the game as well. He sacked Falcons QB, Marcus Mariota, for a 7-yard loss during the 3rd quarter.
Did you realize that Ironhead had played in Atlanta or that the family was from there? How did you feel seeing both brothers making an impact on the game? Click to comment below.
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