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Steelers’ Draft Pick Derrick Harmon Mourns Loss of Mother, Tiffany Saine
Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, a recent first-round NFL draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is mourning the loss of his mother, Tiffany Saine, who passed away shortly after learning of her son’s achievement. The NFL draft became a bittersweet moment for the Harmon family as they celebrated Harmon’s selection while facing immense personal hardship.
A Bittersweet Draft Night
Derrick Harmon displayed raw emotion upon being chosen in the NFL draft. An ESPN segment featured the defensive lineman expressing gratitude for his mother’s profound impact on his life, referencing her ongoing health concerns. Saine was on life support when the Steelers picked Harmon. Following Thursday night’s event, the 21-year-old shared his plans to visit her in the hospital.
- Harmon described the moment as “bittersweet,” acknowledging his mother’s crucial role in his success.
- He emphasized her unwavering dedication, noting that she “worked as hard” as he did to reach this milestone.
- “My mom wasn’t with me, she’s at the hospital right now on life support…”.
Tragic Passing and Team Support
According to reports, Tiffany Saine passed away shortly after being informed of her son’s drafting by the Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers organization expressed their condolences. Team president Art Rooney II released a statement acknowledging the somber circumstances surrounding the NFL draft pick.
Statement from Steelers President Art Rooney II
“On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, I extend our deepest condolences to Derrick Harmon and his family during this difficult time,” Rooney said.
“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. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Derrick’s entire family.”
Saine’s Strength and Harmon’s Motivation
In 2022, Saine suffered a stroke that resulted in paralysis on the left side of her body. Harmon had previously used earnings from college endorsements to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle for her. He stated that her resilience in the face of her medical issues was a major source of inspiration.
Harmon articulated, “After all those brain surgeries, man, she did not give up. She still took me to practice, still went to work…”. He explained that her perseverance constantly reminded him to overcome obstacles and push forward throughout his college career.