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Steelers' Cam Heyward's Emotional Speech After Winning Walter Payton Award

The Pittsburgh Steelers legend thanked his family, his late father and the organization for his ability to help others.

Noah Strackbein

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PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward has been nominated for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award six times. On his sixth nomination, he won and brought everyone to tears as he took the stage to thank those around him. 

Heyward's work has always been dedicated to his late father, and the rest of his family. And after thanking the Steelers organization and head coach Mike Tomlin, he started to thank those around him, and those who are looking down. 

"Ever since I’ve been a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Heyward said. "I’ve thought God and my dad had a plan for me and I’m living it right now.”

Heyward's foundation, Craig's Closet, started in 2018 in honor of his father. He's since expanded by hosting events like Cam's Kindness Week and helping with the team's Social Justice Fund. 

"My dad was obviously a football player, but he was so much more than that,” Heyward said. "My dad was a larger than life personality. He had a job to do inspiring others. Being there for his family. He impacted the community and I felt like when he passed away, it was my responsibility to take up.

"... There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my dad, but doing the work, it’s cathartic. I can not only exercise giving back, I can exercise being close to my dad."

He continued by thanking his mother, who stepped in once his father passed away before his senior year in high school. 

"When I talk about my family, I talk about my mom," Heyward said. "When my dad passed away, there was only one person who stepped up for my family, and she stepped up as our foundation. I play football and I get a chance to give back, but I can’t do everything. She picks up the slack for our foundation. There’s not anyone in Pittsburgh that doesn’t know her name, and it’s all for the right reasons."

Heyward's work has never gone unnoticed in the Pittsburgh community. His coaches and teammates always allow you a small step inside what an incredible human their defensive captain is. 

After six nominations, being named Walter Payton Man of the Year just felt right for the Pittsburgh Steelers legend. 

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Noah Strackbein
NOAH STRACKBEIN

Noah is the Publisher for All Steelers, Inside the Panthers (InsideThePanthers.com) and Inside the Penguins (InsidethePenguins.com), and is the host of All Steelers Talk (YouTube.com/AllSteelersTalk). A Scranton native, Noah made his way to the Pittsburgh sports scene in 2017. Now, he's pretty much full-yinzer.

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