On May 13, 2025, Derrick Harmon, a first-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers, stepped into a new chapter in his life. Just a few weeks ago, the Steelers drafted a 6-foot-4, 324-pound defensive tackle from Oregon with the 21st pick in the NFL Draft. It was a moment of triumph and a dream fulfilled for the 21-year-old. But it is also overshadowed by profound losses. His mother, Tiffany Saine, died shortly after the draft, leaving Harmon struggling with grief as he began his professional football career.
On the first day of Pittsburgh’s rookie mini-camp, Harmon shared his emotional state. “I’m doing the best I can right now,” he said, underlining his determination. “I’m playing football. I’m good at it, so I take my focus off some things, but I’m fine. For Harmon, stepping onto the football field was a brief opportunity for him to shake off his grief. The familiar athletic environment allowed him to focus, providing a sense of normalcy in turbulent times.
He described walking into the Steelers locker room as a “dream come true.” Despite his mother’s absence, Harmon believes she is still with him. “I don’t know, I’m still dealing with it,” he said when asked how he would cope with the loss. “I just put one foot in front of the other, really.”
At the rookie mini-camp, Harmon met his new Steelers teammates. He’s texting captain Cam Heyward and befriending locker room neighbor Keeanu Benton, an alumna of the Big Ten League. “We hit it off,” Harmon said. The Steelers have big plans for Harmon, seeing him as the next in their long list of great D-line players. Harmon knows what to expect to be a first-round pick, but he’s not intimidated. “I want to contribute, learn from veterinarians, and make the most of this new challenge,” he said. “Oregon prepared me for this leap.”
Harmon is in good health after a pre-draft shoulder problem, and his goal is to embrace the tough “Steelman DNA.” His size and pace are similar to Hayward’s, suggesting prowess in running defense and passing sprints. While reaching Heyward’s status was a long process, Harmon’s work ethic, inspired by his mother’s tenacity, gave him an edge. As he embarks on his NFL journey, Harmon will move forward on a bittersweet path to achieving his dreams while mourning his mother, finding solace in both experiences.
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