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Steelers’ Cam Heyward nominated for NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award

PHOENIX — As part of NFL Honors, the league comes together to recognize some of its brightest stars, best performances and most spectacular moments of the season. It’s a big night for Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward, who is up for the Walter Payton Man of the year award. It’s often described as the NFL’s most prestigious accolade.

Throughout the year, Channel 11 does stories on what feels like a weekly basis highlighting Heyward’s dedication to giving back. In fitting fashion, the five-time WPMOY nominee is already thinking about the people he’d be able to help through his foundation if he won.

I’m just so appreciative,” said Heyward ahead of the awards show. “If we win this, there’s a lot of ‘thank yous’ to go around because I didn’t do this by myself.”

Heyward epitomizes humility. The work he’s done across the region throughout his career is extensive. He opened multiple Craig’s Closet locations, names after his late father, which provides free suits for high schoolers in need. His newest initiative this year, “Cam’s Kindness Week” featured multiple community service events filled with a whole lot of smiles.

We’re in schools where we got Craig’s closets, we’ve done so many different things,” said Heyward. “Children’s Hospital, we’ve done Blessings in a Backpack, I can’t even forget the literacy program where we have little libraries around Pittsburgh. I just think we can continue to just keep maximizing.”

You don’t have to look far to find Heyward’s why. For him, it’s always about others, like when he hosted a Teacher Appreciation Day at training camp last summer.

For me, I got to really just hear their side and see the great work they do,” said Heyward. “You know, and kind of shine a light on that.”

If Heyward is named this year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year, he’d be joining illustrious company.

“You start to think about the names associated,” said Heyward. Joe Greene, Jerome Bettis, you understand the men they were on and off the field.

There’s one man in particular Heyward wishes could be here to see all he’s done, his late father, Pitt and NFL star Craig “Ironhead” Heyward

“I hope he’d be proud of me,” Heyward said. “I just think he would say keep going. I think you’ve struck gold with what you’ve done so far.”

If Heyward hears his name called on stage?

“It would cement the work we’ve done,” said Heyward. “I have a speech in mind. And hopefully I get to use it. You hope fifth times the charm.”

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