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Cam Heyward Isn’t Slowing Down at 35: ‘There’s a Hunger’
PITTSBURGH — With two sacks in a 27-14 home win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward pushed his career sack total to 88.5.
There’s a common theme in what the 14th-year veteran is striving for, all the way down to his goal in that statistical category.
“More,” Heyward said, smiling behind the podium microphone.
With the pair takedowns of Jameis Winston, Heyward passed up Justin Smith and Leonard Little on the NFL’s official list of sack leaders, according to Pro Football Reference. Against Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia next week, Heyward will be chasing down Ken Harvey (89), Tamba Hali and Bryant Young (89.5), and maybe even Trent Cole (90.5) on that leaderboard.
“I think, for me, there’s more to improve on, more to keep going after,” said Heyward, who finished the day with five tackles and two tackles for loss, as well. “There’s a hunger for me that I’m not satisfied with what I’ve done in the past, and I expect a lot more of myself.”
“Freaking Cam at 45 years old is out there getting two sacks (in) a game,” first-year Steelers safety DeShon Elliott said. “That’s crazy.”
Maybe even crazier that the Pittsburgh elder statesman, who’s actually 10 years younger than that, played the third-fewest snaps of his career last year while dealing with a groin and core muscle injury. He underwent surgery to correct the ailment in late February.
Heyward, a three-time first-team Associated Press All-Pro, had a familiar role model in his ear during that physical struggle of a campaign. He was in attendance to be recognized as one of the newest members of the team’s Hall of Honor at halftime Sunday.
“Coach (Dick) LeBeau, we were talking about (how) he was texting me last year during the season just trying to keep my head up,” Heyward said. “I still talk to him to this day. I’m thankful of that relationship. … I was just thankful to be in the room when he was around.”
This season, Heyward’s been back front and center, literally, on a defense that on Sunday morning ranked in the league’s top five in allowance of points, yardage, rushing yardage, and passing touchdowns. The Steelers had also accounted for the most takeaways and given up the second-fewest first downs.
Along with Heyward’s eight sacks on the season, T.J. Watt has added 9.5, Nick Herbig 4.5, and Alex Highsmith four.
“We’ve got to ride the wave that that four-man rush provides,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. “We put a lot of time in terms of developing that group and acquiring talent in that space. … Our bigs set the pace for us, then our littles obviously close the door.”
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