Derrick Harmon’s selection in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft was both a moment of triumph and heartache. The Pittsburgh Steelers chose the defensive tackle from Oregon with the No. 21 overall pick on Thursday, April 24, marking the start of his professional football career. However, just hours later, Harmon’s mother, Tiffany Saine, passed away while on life support.
Harmon had planned to visit his mother in a Detroit hospital to share the news of his selection. Saine, who had endured years of health challenges, including multiple brain surgeries and a debilitating stroke in 2022, died shortly after her son informed her of his life-changing milestone.
In a statement on Friday, Steelers president Art Rooney II expressed the organization’s condolences. “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the death of his mother, Tiffany Saine,” Rooney said. “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.”
Family first then and now
Harmon has often spoken about the pivotal role his mother played in his journey to the NFL. In a pre-draft feature with ESPN, Harmon described Saine as his “rock” and credited her resilience with inspiring his own. Despite her health struggles, Saine attended practices and supported Harmon’s dreams, providing a foundation for his success.
The Steelers and their fans have rallied around Harmon, offering their encouragement as he begins this next chapter under challenging circumstances. While his NFL journey starts with profound loss, Harmon’s story is a testament to perseverance, love, and the enduring influence of a mother’s strength.
As he prepares for his career in Pittsburgh, Harmon carries both the memory of his mother and the support of an entire community and his talent is proven to be one that helps the team immediately once he steps onto the field.
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