Hitman Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 (edited) KFFL NFL | Heyward passes away Sat, 27 May 2006 18:05:34 -0700 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports former NFL RB Craig Heyward died Saturday, May 27. He was 39. He had fought a 7 1/2 year battle with a brain tumor. KFFL sends their condolences to his family and friends. and this from Wikipedia: Craig Heyward was widely regarded as a nightmare for opposing defenses because he was often as big, and sometimes bigger, than the defenders who had to stop him, and had surprising quickness and agility. One of the NFL's best "big man" running backs in the vein of Earl Campbell, Heyward, at 5'-11" and reportedly between 250-280 pounds (the latter is arguably more accurate) was a punishing runner who was also a good blocker and receiver. In the mid-1990's, Craig Heyward showcased his sense of humor in a series of well-received commercials pitching Zest body wash. In November, 1998, Heyward complained of blurred vision in his right eye, and was diagnosed with a benign tumor at the base of his skull. After it was partially removed in a 12-hour operation, Heyward underwent 40 rounds of radiation treatments and was later pronounced cancer free. However, in 2005, Heyward suffered a recurrence of the tumor. Heyward passed away on May 27, 2006. Many Saints and ATL fans remember this guy...rajn and I were just talking about some of the Saint's best players and teams over the years, and he was surely one of my favorites. His best season was in 1995 with ATL, when he rushed for 1083 yds. and 6 TDs. "Iron Head" will be remembered by many. Edited May 28, 2006 by Hitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Even though I'm a born and raised Washingtonian, "Iron Head" was who I modeled my playing style after, jersey # and everything. While his physical ways often led to injury, he was a man amongst boys when healthy, before linebackers became 260lb freaks of nature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhippens Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 just read this somewhere else too. sad... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Very sad. Iron head was a great NFL player and one of those surprise guys at fantasy RB before. : usa: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 I loved Iron Head. He was a good local boy back around the Pitt campus way back when. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDFFFreak Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcmast Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 RIP. I loved him on Super Tecmo III. Impossible to bring down, but slower than slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman Posted May 28, 2006 Author Share Posted May 28, 2006 On a positive note: Ironhead's son Cameron stars as a defensive tackle for Suwanee High in Peachtree, Georgia. He is set to graduate in the Class of 2007, and is reportedly being recruited by several high profile schools in the ACC and SEC as well as Ironhead's alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. Hope the kid makes it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Furley Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 On a positive note: Ironhead's son Cameron stars as a defensive tackle for Suwanee High in Peachtree, Georgia. He is set to graduate in the Class of 2007, and is reportedly being recruited by several high profile schools in the ACC and SEC as well as Ironhead's alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. Hope the kid makes it. 1489812[/snapback] That would be pretty cool if he went to the University of Pittsburgh. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Saw this come across the screen during the Pistons game. Always seemed like such a likeable guy too. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 On a positive note: Ironhead's son Cameron stars as a defensive tackle for Suwanee High in Peachtree, Georgia. He is set to graduate in the Class of 2007, and is reportedly being recruited by several high profile schools in the ACC and SEC as well as Ironhead's alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. Hope the kid makes it. 1489812[/snapback] Sad news, but to know his legacy lives on through his son is a great thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 very sad..... plus i'll miss the "hey ironhead....what's with the little thingie?" commercial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crispy Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Sad news. I didn't realize that he had been sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 RIP big guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godtomsatan Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Another football player who dies far too young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donutrun Jellies Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 very sad..... plus i'll miss the "hey ironhead....what's with the little thingie?" commercial 1489889[/snapback] Well said. Prayers go out to Ironhead's family ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 He played part of one season for the Colts because Marshall Faulk and the Colts o-line couldn't convert a third and one to save their lives. I remember when they put him in for short yardage play shortly after signing him, and he bowled over the linebacker to convert. The whole stadium was cheering like mad for a 1.5 yard gain. He was diagnosed with the tumor shortly thereafter, ending his career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
major-tom Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 How sad only 39 RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkyard Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 What a terribly tragic story. For any Jersey natives, I remember Ironhead from high school playing days... Passaic HS I think(??). He was an absolute monster and piled up unbelievable numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 wow... amazingly young. how sad. i really enjoyed heyward as a player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Wow. He was even on a roster in my league as recently in 1998. terrible terrible news, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 (edited) Iron head was from Passaic high school..He used to terrorize North Bergen which was the high school I went to(After he played ). North Bergen was one of the best teams in the country one year which was the only year out of all the time ironhead played at Passaic that they were able to beat him. Every other year was heartache because of him. He is a legend in these parts as far as high school RBs goes. Hudson county NJ is very sad to hear this news because although he would run all over our teams practically every year he was a joy to watch as a football fan..RIP Ironhead. Edited May 28, 2006 by whomper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.