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Derrick Harmon’s mother passes away shortly after learning about NFL Draft outcome, per report
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The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted former Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon was the No. 21 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night.
During a media availability after the pick was made, Harmon revealed that his mother was on life support. She endured multiple brain surgeries and suffered a stroke earlier when Harmon was a freshman at Michigan State.
“It was a little bittersweet,” Harmon said of his draft day experience. “My mom wasn’t with me. She’s at the hospital right now on life support. After I get off the phone with you guys, I’m going to head straight to the hospital and tell her … her son got drafted.”
According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Harmon’s mother, Tiffany Saine, passed away shortly after Derrick informed her he had been drafted by the Steelers.
It’s heartbreaking news for Harmon and his family particularly on a night where he became a first-round NFL Draft pick.
ESPN also produced a short feature on Harmon and his mother for draft day:
“She’s the reason why I’m here,” Harmon said in the video above. “She’s the one that did everything for me to get to this point. I love you, mom. Everything I do is for you. I’m forever grateful.”
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.