Joy and tragedy both came on the same day for one new NFL draft pick.
Former Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon went in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Harmon with the No. 21 overall pick.
But shortly afterwards, a devastating family tragedy struck for Harmon. Later in the day, Harmon’s mother Tiffany Saine, who had been on life support following a stroke, died after a lengthy battle.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Saine died shortly after Harmon arrived at the hospital and personally told her that he had been drafted into the NFL.
Steelers president Art Rooney II released a statement about the tragic news on Friday, expressing condolences to Harmon and offering the organization’s full support. You can read the statement here.
Harmon, who was an All-Big Ten selection last season at Oregon with 45 combined tackles and 5.0 sacks, had previously spoken out on his mother’s health battle. According to Harmon, his mother initially suffered the stroke in 2021 (while he was still at Michigan State), leaving her paralyzed on her left side. Harmon also said that his mother had “about eight” brain surgeries while he was growing up.
You can watch the draft-day feature that aired on ESPN about Harmon and his mother at the link here.
The 21-year-old Harmon, who reportedly had to cancel some pre-draft visits with teams to be by his mother’s side, now arrives in the league with a heavy heart but also with the knowledge that he was able to inform his mother before her passing that he had successfully achieved his NFL dream.
