The largest evening of Derrick Harmon’s profession will sadly be remembered in additional methods than one.
Not lengthy after the previous Oregon defensive sort out was chosen by the Steelers with the twenty first choose, Hamon’s mom, who was on life help, died in a hospital, in keeping with the Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette.
Fortuitously, Harmon was capable of go to his mom, Tiffany Saine, on the hospital and inform her the thrilling draft information earlier than she handed, as he informed reporters at a press convention following his choice.
Nonetheless, the Detroit native referred to as the second “bittersweet” since his mom couldn’t have a good time instantly with him in Inexperienced Bay.
Hours earlier than the choose, Harmon posted a photograph of him and his mother on his Instagram story.
He wrote, “This is all for you!!! and I’m do what you told me I can do a long time ago. I love you till the wheels fall off !!!!”
Whereas Harmon was rising up, Saine had “about eight brain surgeries,” he informed ESPN.
She additionally had a stroke whereas her son was a freshman at Michigan State.
In his senior season, Harmon used his earned NIL cash at Oregon to purchase his mother a automobile — an accessible van after she had a stroke.
The Steelers, who’re knowingly on the hunt for a quarterback and are being dragged alongside by Aaron Rodgers’ indecisiveness, handed on a signal-caller for Harmon.
Head coach Mike Tomlin got here all the way down to “extreme urgency.”
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“To be quite honest with you, there’s no substitute for young talent,” he informed reporters in a press convention. “You don’t have a chance to fill a quality defense unless you’re stout inside and up front. And this is a young guy that has an opportunity to learn from the likes of Cam Heyward and put his hand in that pile — and be a significant contributor for years to come.”
After three seasons with Michigan State, the place Harmon selected with a view to keep near house and his mom, the defensive star transferred to Oregon for his senior season, tallying 5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and two compelled fumbles for the Geese.
He was awarded a second-team All-Large Ten honor, and he received a convention championship and a No. 1 general seeding with Oregon.
