Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward wrapped up “Cam’s Kindness Week” by giving back to his mom’s city league high school. Heyward’s, mother, Charlotte, went to Peabody High School, which is now Obama High School in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Heyward hosted Obama High School student-athletes to watch practice on Friday. After practice, he surprised them with a donation of $15,000 that will be used to upgrade their locker rooms and fund the girls flag football team.
“I just thought it would be a cool way to give back,” Heyward said, via Steelers.com. “I know what they’re going through.”
In September, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) voted to sanction girls flag football as a high school sport. The Steelers and Eagles collaborated over the past three girls flag football seasons to grow the sport through clinics, camps, hosting games, education, equipment distribution and more. In July of 2023, the PIAA designated girls flag football an emerging sport in the state, with it now sanctioned.
On Friday, @CamHeyward hosted Pittsburgh Obama High School student-athletes to watch practice. After practice, he surprised them with a donation that will be used to upgrade their locker rooms & fund the girls flag football team.
📝: https://t.co/EgAg2hSGK6 pic.twitter.com/Z4bxFFQfWl
— Steelers Community Relations (@SteelersCR) October 25, 2024
This is the third annual kindness week by Heyward. On Wednesday, he held a dinner for local teachers to show his appreciation for the work they do throughout the year. After dinner, he presented the teachers with funding for their classroom projects.
“It means a lot to me to continue to take part in the Kindness Week,” Heyward said “I want to continue to empower my community, to continue to give back and say thank you to those who do so much in the community. I also want to do something to help the kids and those who give back all around the city.
“We’re affecting a lot of great people and having fun meeting some people this week. Going to Children’s Hospital, opening up another Craig’s Closet, we had a teacher appreciation dinner. There’s a lot of great things for our community and it’s just nice to draw attention to that.”
Heyward was named Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2023 for his philanthropy, generosity and work in the Pittsburgh community.