Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III will not play agains the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday following the death of his father, the team announced Saturday.
Harvin shared the unfortunate news of his father’s passing on Instagram on Christmas morning.
“To my Father: Thank you for everything that you’ve done for me. I’m so grateful that I was even able to have you here for so long,” Harvin wrote. “You’ve been battling health issues since you were 16. You could’ve gave up a long time ago but you were determined to fight. It hurts so much to even write this because I feel like you’re still with me. You taught me what it takes to be a man and so much more. You are the strongest man on this Earth, as some days you woke up and no matter the discomfort or pain you felt you went on to provide for me and my entire family. You touched so many people’s lives while you were here. You motivated me every day to be the best me. God took you home this morning away from all of the pain, struggles, and hardships you faced. Thank you for being you, through it all Pops. I love you so much, and pray that I get to see you again one day.
The Steelers do not currently have a second punter on their 53-man roster or practice squad. They will assuredly sign one in the coming hours to replace Harvin on Sunday.
Harvin’s father had been battling a terminal illness for sometime, but had to opportunity to see his son play one last time attending last week’s win over the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field as a guest of the organization.