Entering his 12th year in the NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has quickly watched his role shift from young, up-and-coming star and team leader into the old guard, still viewed as an elite level player and leader for the black and gold.
Outside of fellow defensive lineman Tyson Alualu, Heyward is the oldest player on the Steelers’ roster, which underwent significant changes this offseason following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger and Stephon Tuitt, and the retirement of Kevin Colbert in the front office. Now, on the cusp of his 12th season, Heyward – closer to the end of his career than the beginning, if we’re being fair — isn’t taking any moments for granted.