As the Pittsburgh Steelers eagerly anticipate the promise of a remarkable and fruitful 2024 NFL Draft, fans across the Steel City hold their breath, wondering which talented prospects will soon don the black and gold.
Amidst this anticipation, Steelers stalwart defensive lineman, Cam Heyward, has recently graced the airwaves with a captivating new episode of his acclaimed podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.
As listeners tuned in, Heyward went into the depths of his own personal journey through the tumultuous waters of the NFL draft process. Reminiscing on his own draft day experience, Heyward, a formidable force selected 31st overall by the Steelers in the 2011 NFL Draft, shared insights and anecdotes that illuminated the highs and lows of the pre-draft meetings and evaluations.
However, amidst the nostalgia and reflection, Heyward unearthed a surprising revelation that sent shockwaves through the football world. In a candid moment during the podcast, Heyward disclosed an intriguing encounter with none other than the New England Patriots and their legendary former head coach, Bill Belichick, during the NFL Combine.
“Back at the combine, there was a team, New England, that I didn’t have a scheduled formal meeting with. Right before I was about to start, [Bill] Belichick comes up to me and was like, ‘Hey, I want to meet with you.’ He pulls me into the room and they almost steal like a meeting.”
Heyward proceeded to share his thoughts, revealing that he entertained the idea of being drafted by the Patriots following the meeting. Despite his speculation, the encounter ultimately yielded no tangible outcome.
Nonetheless, he cherished the opportunity to engage with the esteemed coach Belichick, describing the experience as enjoyable and memorable. Interestingly, Heyward disclosed that the Patriots instructed him to maintain absolute discretion regarding the meeting, adding a secretive element to the encounter.
“They told me never to tell anyone about this meeting. I thought it was like the secrecy to getting drafted… but nothing came out of it. Had a good meeting with them, but it just didn’t work out.”
The Patriots ended up snagging Nate Solder, a tackle, with the 17th overall pick, while Heyward slipped down to the Steelers at 31st. Interestingly, if the Steelers hadn’t grabbed Heyward at 31, the Patriots had another pick coming up to kick off round two, leaving a slim chance they might have taken him then.
Thankfully for Steelers fans, fate smiled upon them, and Heyward donned the black and gold. Over his illustrious 13-season career in Pittsburgh, he’s amassed a laundry list of accolades. Starting in 159 games, he’s racked up an impressive 647 tackles, notched 80.5 sacks, forced eight fumbles, and delivered 179 punishing hits to quarterbacks.
These stats have earned him the right to be named six times to the Pro-Bowl team and three times as an All-Pro. Heyward also won the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award this past season.
Steelers’ Cam Heyward Healthy And Ready To Thrive In 2024
In 2023, Heyward battled through injury, which impacted his production. However, he’s assured fans that he’s back at full throttle and ready to rock with some fresh faces on the team, gunning for that coveted Super Bowl win in 2024.
Now in the twilight of his career, Heyward’s fire still burns bright. With the Steelers boasting a seasoned defense, albeit a pricey one, the urgency to claim victory is palpable.
Despite his impressive career stats, Heyward has yet to savor much postseason success. But with the Steelers hungry for change in 2024, there’s a collective determination to rewrite that narrative and hoist that Super Bowl trophy high once again. Heyward has a legit case for the Hall of Fame, but if he wants to get in, some believe he needs to win a Super Bowl.
