Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft pick loses mother hours after being selected

CNN
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The day commissioner Roger Goodell known as his title as the most recent member of the NFL will all the time carry combined feelings for Derrick Harmon.

Simply hours after being chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the twenty first decide within the 2025 NFL draft Thursday night time, his mom, Tiffany Saine, died at a Michigan hospital, based on a number of media stories.

The Steelers later confirmed the information.

In a telephone interview with Pittsburgh media from the Detroit suburb Farmington Hills simply minutes after being drafted, the defensive deal with out of Oregon shared that he was about to go see his mom on the hospital and share the pleased information.

“It was a little bittersweet. My mom wasn’t with me, she’s at the hospital right now on life support,” the 21-year-old stated, per CNN affiliate WPXI.

“After I get off the phone with you guys, I’m going to head straight to the hospital and tell her her son got drafted,” Harmon added, showing to turn out to be emotional.

Saine handed away shortly after that go to, based on Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette author Gerry Dulac.

“On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, I extend our deepest condolences to Derrick Harmon and his family during this difficult time,” crew president Artwork Rooney II stated in a press release Friday.

“Though we are excited to select Derrick in the first round of the NFL Draft, our hearts are heavy as we mourn the death of his mother, Tiffany Saine. We will support Derrick and his family however we can as he navigates this period of grief. In times like this, we hope Derrick finds comfort in the love and support from the organization and Steelers fans around the world.”

Throughout Harmon’s freshman 12 months at Michigan State, Seine had a stroke that left her paralyzed on the left facet of her physique, Harmon instructed ESPN in an interview forward of the draft.

Previous to that, she underwent quite a few mind surgical procedures throughout his childhood, Harmon stated.

As Harmon continued to develop as a soccer participant, the Detroit native selected to remain near dwelling, enjoying three years for the Michigan State Spartans.

Saine, who Harmon described as his “rock,” was instrumental in encouraging her son to make the two,000-mile journey throughout the nation to pursue his soccer desires on the College of Oregon.

“We had a discussion and she told me every decision I had made up until this point was for her, and it’s time to make a decision for myself,” Harmon instructed ESPN.

Despite the fact that he was on the opposite facet of the nation, Saine remained within the forefront for Harmon. Earlier than Oregon’s look within the Rose Bowl final season, Harmon revealed that his largest buy utilizing his NIL cash was shopping for a van for his mom and her wheelchair.

Going into the draft, Harmon credited his mom for his success.

“She’s the reason why I’m here,” Harmon stated to ESPN. “She’s the one that did everything for me to get to this point. I love you, mom. Everything I do is for you. I’m forever grateful.”

In his one 12 months with Oregon, Harmon began all 14 video games for the Geese and was a consensus second-team all-American.

Harmon led all FBS inside defensive linemen with 55 complete pressures in 2024, whereas tallying 10.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 45 complete tackles. Harmon additionally compelled two fumbles and had two fumble recoveries.

“He has Steeler DNA,” Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin stated Thursday night time after drafting Harmon.

“For us, it starts inside and up front and this is a guy that’s capable of dominating that space versus the run and the pass, and so we’re really excited about having him.”

Harmon was scheduled to be launched by the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Friday, however that press convention has since been delayed.