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Cam Heyward Named NFL Way to Play Recipient for Week 16

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Cameron Heyward

NFL Network’s Good Morning Football announced Thursday that Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward is the NFL Way to Play recipient for Week 16 for his sack against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday night. The NFL’s operations site says the program is meant to show the league’s “commitment to promoting proper playing technique across all levels of football.”

As the awardee, Heyward receives a $5,000 donation to a high school or youth program of his choice.

“This guy showed grown man strength against the Las Vegas Raiders when they played Christmas Eve night,” GMFB host Jason McCourty said about Heyward before the impact play was shown on the screen.

Heyward powered through the Raiders’ left guard, Dylan Parham, pushing him into quarterback Derek Carr before wrapping the fleeing signal-caller at his legs and taking him down.

“Cam Heyward getting it done the right way,” McCourty said. “Look how he completes the sack. Doesn’t land on Derek Carr, doesn’t put his weight on him, but still makes the play.”

Since being taken in the initial round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Heyward has long been a stalwart on the defensive side of the ball for the Steelers. For his efforts in the emotional matchup with the Raiders, he was also named as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

He carried the No. 32 flag out for the late, great Franco Harris pre-game, then totaled seven tackles, three stops for a loss, two sacks, and a pass defended. Heyward was the only AFC player to notch multiple sacks this past week.

If Pittsburgh is to make its late playoff push — they still have a chance despite a sluggish start to the go-round — Cam Heyward will be a big reason as to why. It seems like the big guy’s motor never stops.