WJMorris3 Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 ATLANTA - Former NFL fullback Craig "Ironhead" Heyward died Saturday after a 7 1/2-year fight with a recurring brain tumor, his son's high school football coach said. He was 39.Heyward spent 11 seasons in the NFL with New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis and Indianapolis. The former University of Pittsburgh All-American rushed for a career-high 1,083 yards for the Falcons in 1995."I got a call at 4:30 or 5 that he had passed away," said Blair Armstrong, who coached Heyward's son, Cameron, at Peachtree Ridge High School. "He was in a hospice when he died, but I don't know which one."Armstrong said he often talked to Heyward when he came to see his son play."He wasn't real mobile, but he'd been rehabbing. He thought he might walk again. But once he lost his hearing and his sight, his organs started shutting down. Other problems were just developing."Born in Passaic, N.J., in 1966, the 5-foot-11 fullback ran for 4,301 yards in his NFL career and had 1,559 yards receiving.Heyward was one of the biggest running backs in NCAA Division I-A history, with a weight estimated at 260 to 285 pounds, but finished third in Pitt career rushing with 3,086 yards. He trailed only Tony Dorsett (6,526 yards) and Curvin Richards' 3,192 yards. Heyward's 1,791 yards in 1987, counting a bowl game, rank second only to Dorsett's 2,150 yards in 1976 for a Pitt single season.Heyward was a first-team AP All-America pick that season, but chose to pass up his senior season and was a first-round draft pick by New Orleans."Craig Heyward truly ranks among the all-time greats in Pitt football history," Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt said in a statement released with the school."I will always remember him as a tremendous player who had an irrepressible attitude on and off the field. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Pitt family are with Craig's loved ones during this time of sorrow."Heyward's son, the 6-7, 280-pound Cameron, visited Pitt on a recruiting trip last month and is considered one of the nation's top defensive line recruits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brinkeguthrie Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/foot...n=si_topstories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleujayone Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 I remember when he used to do the comercials for Zest Soap with a pouf in the shower.He made Mr. T look like Laurence Olivier.Ironhead in the shower, shown naked from the waist up, holding the pouf: (Heyward speaking in a whiny falsetto): "But Ironhead, what's with this thingy?"(Heyward speaking in a tough-guy voice): It's Zest with a lather thingy, chump! Get Zestfully clean! Wish I could find the real ad... We all have our little faults. Mine's in California. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STL FANATIC Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 I remember when he used to do the comercials for Zest Soap with a pouf in the shower.He made Mr. T look like Laurence Olivier.Ironhead in the shower, shown naked from the waist up, holding the pouf: (Heyward speaking in a whiny falsetto): "But Ironhead, what's with this thingy?"(Heyward speaking in a tough-guy voice): It's Zest with a lather thingy, chump! Get Zestfully clean! Wish I could find the real ad... I remember that one as well. JUSTIN STRIEBEL | PORTFOLIO | RESUME | CONTACT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTank Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Oh man that sucks I really liked Iornhead he had a great nickname and was a very underrated player. www.sportsecyclopedia.com For the best in sports history go to the Sports E-Cyclopedia at http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmackman Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 I really used to like Ironhead. It was the only reason I watched any Saints games at all. Why is it that the bad things happen to the good people? R.I.P. big guy. "Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be eaten. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you'd better be running." - Unknown | Check out my articles on jerseys at Bacon Sports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HedleyLamarr Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 I didn't even know he had a brain tumor, much less having one for 7 years.RIP Ironhead. Enjoy the Great Football Field in the Sky...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc49erfan15 Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Oh, man. Like everybody, I remember him best from the Zest commercials as well. "But Ironhead, what's with the thingee?"RIP, Ironhead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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