The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted former Oregon Geese defensive lineman Derrick Harmon with the No. 21 choose of the 2025 NFL Draft. Harmon advised reporters that his mom, Tiffany Saine, was not in a position to attend his NFL Draft gathering as a result of she was on life help.
After getting the primary spherical name from Pittsburgh, Harmon headed straight to the hospital to inform her the excellent news. Harmon referred to as the night, “bittersweet” in mild of his mom’s well being situation.
In line with a report on Friday from Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac, Harmon’s mother has handed away.
“Derrick Harmon’s mother, who was on life help, handed away shortly after he went to the hospital and bought to inform her he had been drafted by the Steelers,” Dulac stated on X.
“Derrick Harmon was coping with so much in latest weeks and needed to cancel a few of his pre-draft visits to remain by his mom’s aspect. RIP to Tiffany Saine, who raised an incredible younger man,” stated NFL Community reporter Tom Pelissero on X.
Derrick Harmon was coping with so much in latest weeks and needed to cancel a few of his pre-draft visits to remain by his mom’s aspect. RIP to Tiffany Saine, who raised an incredible younger man. https://t.co/pm2scL44Rw
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2025
Steelers seven-time Professional Bowler Cameron Ward provided help on social media on Thursday when he heard of Harmon’s mothers’ situation.
“Coronary heart breaking however speaks to a particular child we’re getting,” wrote Heyward on X.
The Steelers group provided their condolences to their new teammate.
Assertion from Steelers President Artwork Rooney II: pic.twitter.com/AKDzDefoZU
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 25, 2025
Oregon Geese line of defense coach Tony Tuioti traveled to be with Harmon for the primary night time of the NFL Draft.
“Congrats Derrick Harmon, you trusted the method and earned all the pieces coming your manner! The Steelers bought themselves an actual one!” wrote Tuioti on Twitter
Congrats @DerrickHarmon20 you trusted the method and earned all the pieces coming your manner! The @steelers bought themselves a #RealOne! #ScoDucks🤙🏽
#ProDucks 🦆 https://t.co/z2TcwN3djd pic.twitter.com/I5FIrVeYap— Tony Tuioti (@CoachTuioti92) April 25, 2025
“My mother means all the pieces to me. Her title is Tiffany Saine. That is my rock. That is my why. My freshman yr at Michigan State, she ended up having a stroke, which left her paralyzed on her left aspect. It was form of exhausting, however it’s one thing that we was used to so far as her well being, as a result of simply rising up, she had about eight mind surgical procedures,” Harmon advised ESPN.
“I am initially from Detroit, Michigan, so I used to be in all probability 45 minutes away from dwelling as soon as I went to Michigan State. It was very exhausting leaving and going to Oregon. It was in all probability the toughest choice I needed to make. I sat down with my mother, and we had a dialogue, and she or he advised me each choice I made up up to now was for her, and it is time to decide for myself… She’s the rationale why I am right here. She’s the one which did all the pieces for me to get up to now. I really like you, Mother. Every part I do is for you. I am eternally grateful,” Harmon continued.
Derrick Harmon’s journey to changing into the twenty first general choose by the Steelers was pushed by the power of his mother Tiffany ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rN4p5TavQq
— ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2025
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MORE: Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Derrick Harmon On Emotional Evening: Mom On Life Help
Forward of Oregon’s Rose Bowl sport, Harmon advised reporters he used a few of his NIL earnings to buy a wheelchair-accessible van for his mother.
After transferring from Michigan State, Harmon performed one season with Oregon and coach Dan Lanning, and it was arguably the very best of his profession. In his one season in Eugene, Harmon completed with profession highs of 27 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and two compelled fumbles. He additionally deflected 4 passes.
Within the draft, the Steelers knew Harmon was their man and so they weren’t keen to commerce.
“He has Steelers DNA,” stated Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. “For us it begins inside and up entrance. This can be a man that’s able to dominating that area versus the run and the move. We’re enthusiastic about having him. Actually enthusiastic about getting him in right here and getting began.”
“We talked about sure guys that we might not commerce away from, and this was a type of gamers for us. The cellphone was ringing and we had some severe conversations, however on the finish of the day, as soon as Derrick was nonetheless there, we have been excited, and it was a simple selection for us,” Pittsburgh normal supervisor Omar Khan stated.