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IRONHEAD HEYWARD DIES (1 Viewer)

GRIDIRON ASSASSIN

GRIDIRON ASSASSIN

Footballguy
Former Falcon Heyward dies

By DARRYL MAXIE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 05/28/06

Craig "Ironhead" Heyward had hoped to survive a 7 1/2-year fight with recurring brain tumor long enough to share "Senior Night" with his son, Cameron, who plays football and basketball at Peachtree Ridge High.

The football coach, Blair Armstrong, said Saturday that he had been "contemplating moving senior night to the first game" — an occasion that normally comes closer to the end of the season for most schools.

Former NFL fullback Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward was a Falcon from 1994-96.

It spoke volumes about Heyward's increasing fragile health. In the end, the wish wasn't to be. The former NFL star fullback for 11 seasons, and a Falcon from 1994-96, died Saturday. He was 39.

"It's going to be tough," Armstrong said. "I lost my dad when I was 14."

The elder Heyward earned Pro Bowl status in 1995, when he rushed for a career-high 1,083 yards. He first gained fame as a bruising back for the New Orleans Saints, and also played for the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts.

"Craig Heyward truly ranks among the all-time greats in Pitt football history," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said in a statement released by the university.

With his father in ailing health, Cameron transferred from Whitefield Academy in Cobb County, to be nearer his father. The Georgia High School Association last August granted Cameron a medical hardship allowing the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder — then a junior — to play immediately, instead of having to sit out a year.

That gave the elder Heyward, who was paralyzed by a stroke, a chance to see his son play.

"We'd interacted once or twice when he tried to come watch Cameron play," Armstrong said. "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."

 
A model for all fat men like me who ever dreamed of being a RB. I'll definatley miss him, he was one of my favorites, especially in those Falcon days.

 
Great quote from him

"Ironhead, where do you think you'll be drafted?"

"Somewhere in the first round, maybe higher."

RIP

 
didn't know he had a brain tumor. maybe the 6 pounds of pot he had were to ease the pain. Pour a lil' liquor.

 
Heyward was a joy to watch as a Pitt Panther fan in the 80s. He would take over games, and his 1987 season was glorious to behold, including a big win over Notre Dame.

RIP Thanks for the memories.

 
Mr. Heyward was a member of my 1st FF Championship team in 1995.

RIP Young Man

 
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The elder Heyward earned Pro Bowl status in 1995, when he rushed for a career-high 1,083 yards. He first gained fame as a bruising back for the New Orleans Saints, and also played for the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts.
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...and the Rams.I enjoyed watching him mash people. Didn't even know he was ill. :(

RIP

 
It's sad to know he's gone, especially at just 39. He was one of my favorite players to use in Super Tecmo Bowl. He wasn't fast, but it took just about all 11 defenders running into to him to bring him down.

god bless ya Ironhead.

 
The smallest of things takes down one of the strongest men.

RIP IRONHEAD.

My condolences to his family.

 
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I think I have only posted 1 time in all the years that I've been a FBG, but I'd like to add my condolences to his family and friends.

Ironhead was an inspiration to me. He didn't have the most talent, but he had great heart. He was a guy who would always help his team move in the right direction. He would do whatever needed to be done, no whining or complaining. He was a gamer who was always there. He actually cared and tried.

As a practical matter, I've done very well in FF since 1987, and there was always room on my roster for Ironhead. I knew he would never quit, and would give his all despite any circumstance. You can't ask for more.

Ironhead, I've admired you for years, and you should know that you've had an affect on more folks than you'll ever know. Thank you.

 
:(

"But Ironhead...what's that thingy??"
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Ironhead Heyward did a very famous commercial for Zest body wash. At the time, body wash (a soap) was I guess branded as a feminine thing. So they hired Heyward as a pitchman. His best line was:But Ironhead, what's with this thingy?"

Referring to the cute little sponge used to apply the body wash.

Here is a picture of one of the classic funny commercials of the 1990s.

http://www.pixpond.com/1/1b8hhmz.jpg

http://adaholic.com/fullaccess/1290_I1.jpg

RIP Ironhead.

 
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I remember reading about him in HS, he was unstoppable. Here's a qick bio:

Craig "Ironhead" Heyward

School: Passaic, NJ

Final season: 1983

Key statistics: A blasting runner with fine speed, the 6-0, 250-pound Heyward rolled up a state-record 5,142 career rushing yards, with 74 touchdowns and 499 points, leading Passaic to two straight state championships. He earned First Team All-State honors each season.

FYI he also kicked extra points, too.

Here's to an absolute legend :banned:

 
Edit: Not the time or place. /edit.

RIP, and condolences to his son.

 
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Mr. Heyward was a member of my 1st FF Championship team in 1995.

RIP Young Man
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Same here, he played a part in my 1st FF Championship team in 1996.The eye opener for me is that he was only 39 years old, just a few years older than I.

 
Does anyone know where I can find Heyward NCAA career totals. Heyward had tons of talent. He was one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation following his senior season. In 1987 he finished 7th (I think) in the Heisman voting. I would like to see his numbers from that year. I am having a devil of a time finding something for the 1987 season

Thanks again and god bless the Heyward family

 
Does anyone know where I can find Heyward NCAA career totals. Heyward had tons of talent. He was one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation following his senior season. In 1987 he finished 7th (I think) in the Heisman voting. I would like to see his numbers from that year. I am having a devil of a time finding something for the 1987 season

Thanks again and god bless the Heyward family
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it was actually 5th. I was looking last night because i wanted to see his game by game stats from that amazing consensus all american season, but couldnt find them.
 
:(

"But Ironhead...what's that thingy??"
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Yes! That commercial was so funny! He obviously had a great sense of humour.Loved the way he used to 'popcorn' guys in Tecmo Bowl.

Cheers to Ironhead :banned:

 
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Wow... brain tumor... thats the worst

He probably had to deal with insane headaches and seizures for those years before he died :( RIP bud, you won't be in pain anymore

 
In 1987, Heyward was second in the country in rushing yards (1,655 on 357 carries with 11 TDs) and hit the 100-yard mark in all twelve of his games.

RIP Ironhead.

 
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I remember reading about him in HS, he was unstoppable. Here's a qick bio:

Craig "Ironhead" Heyward

School: Passaic, NJ

Final season: 1983

Key statistics: A blasting runner with fine speed, the 6-0, 250-pound Heyward rolled up a state-record 5,142 career rushing yards, with 74 touchdowns and 499 points, leading Passaic to two straight state championships. He earned First Team All-State honors each season.

FYI he also kicked extra points, too.

Here's to an absolute legend :banned:
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I had a job one summer in Passaic and Ironhead was working for the city painting the curbs yellow. Let me tell you, even in HS that kid was huge.
 
It's sad to know he's gone, especially at just 39. He was one of my favorite players to use in Super Tecmo Bowl. He wasn't fast, but it took just about all 11 defenders running into to him to bring him down.

god bless ya Ironhead.
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:goodposting: Heyward >>>>> Dalton Hilliard
 
A nice sports column about Heyward. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

He weighed more than 300 pounds after his final Pitt season, a size that turned off NFL scouts. He was expected to go in the third round. He changed that in about two months. As agent Eric Metz told the Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette, "He weighed 302 when we signed him. In 60 days, he got down to 252. He worked out three times a day."

He lasted 11 seasons in the NFL, an accomplishment in and of itself. Although he never rambled like he did at Pitt, he had one 1,000-yard season -- with Atlanta in 1995 -- and made one Pro Bowl.

It was in that 11th season that he was first diagnosed with a brain tumor. It ended his career and put him in a more than decade-long battle for his life. With his playing days behind him, Ironhead concentrated more than ever on being a dad.

"He was a great father," said Charlotte Heyward Blackwell. "The boys are all extremely gifted athletes. He was very hands on, very involved. He wanted them to know he was there for them.

"He had a stroke in March of 2005 that left him partially paralyzed on his left side. It was a setback. But even in his wheelchair, he was lively. He didn't let it hold him back at all. Even when he lost the ability to walk, he was out there in the wheelchair, letting them know he was there."

Cameron is a serious athlete. He's a 6-foot-7, 270-pound junior defensive tackle at Peachtree Ridge High in Suwanee, Ga. He's heavily recruited by major schools, including Pitt.

"He hasn't made up his mind," said his mother, a Pittsburgh native and Pitt graduate.

"We remained best friends," said Charlotte of her ex-husband. "It was a joint custody with not a lot of rules. We both served as parents. We both did the driving. We lived about a mile apart."

Cameron played his first two high school seasons at Whitfield Academy, about 35 miles from home. After his father's stroke, he transferred to his neighborhood school, Peachtree Ridge. Under Georgia rules, he would have been ineligible. But the family petitioned the state governing board and he was granted a medical hardship to play so his dad could watch.

When it was clear that Ironhead did not have long to live, Peachtree Ridge coach Blair Armstrong was considering moving Senior Night from the end of the 2006 season to the start of it.

It wasn't to be. Cameron Heyward won't have his father with him for this final season. But the memory lives on of a great dad, an outstanding football player and one of the sport's world's unforgettable characters.
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I was a huge fan of Heyward. I even named my turtle after him. I didn't even know he was ill. Sorry to hear he's gone. RIP Ironhead.

 
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