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Reflecting Back On Rookie Season, Heyward ‘Appreciative’ Of Coach John Mitchell’s Challenge

In the midst of another All-Pro season, Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive tackle Cameron Heyward spent some time reflecting with the media Thursday at the South Side facility, looking back on a trying start to his career under former Steelers’ defensive line coach John Mitchell, crediting the hard, trying times as a reason why he is as dominant as he is.

That year, Heyward was a first-round draft pick at No. 31 in 2011, landing him in a reserve role behind the likes of Brett Keisel and Ziggy Hood, who was a first-round draft pick just two years prior.