Derrick Harmon’s dream of being drafted into the NFL came true Thursday when he was selected as the 21st overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the moment arrived with profound sadness.
Unable to share the joyous news with his mother in person, Derrick traveled immediately to a hospital where she lay on life support. He recounted the experience as “bittersweet,” expressing regret that he couldn’t celebrate this milestone with her.
“Her son got drafted,” Harmon told Tiffany Saine, his mother, during his visit. Tragically, according to reports from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, she passed away shortly thereafter.
The defensive tackle’s journey to the NFL was deeply intertwined with his mother’s strength and perseverance. Harmon explained that when he was a freshman at Michigan State, she suffered a stroke which left her paralyzed on one side. This was followed by “about eight brain surgeries,” a testament to her enduring spirit.
As Harmon stated, “She’s the reason I’m here. She’s the reason I did everything up to this point.”
Beyond emotional support, Tiffany Saine demonstrated unwavering commitment to her son’s aspirations. Harmon shared that he utilized his NIL earnings to purchase an accessible van for her, a gesture reflecting their close bond.
“Man, how resilient she was,” Harmon reflected after being drafted. “Growing up, I witnessed her undergo seven or eight brain surgeries. Even through it all, she never gave up—still taking me to practice, still going to work. From the beginning of my college career, her example echoed in my mind: ‘Why can’t you keep going? If you’re tired, if you’re injured, why not push forward?’ Her resilience and hard work were my inspiration.”
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 310 pounds, Harmon spent three seasons playing for Michigan State before transferring to Oregon. It was there that he truly flourished, becoming a formidable presence on the field. Last season, as a second-team All-American, Harmon recorded five sacks and 10½ tackles for loss while playing for the Ducks.
The memory of his mother’s unwavering support will undoubtedly serve as a powerful motivator throughout Derrick Harmon’s NFL career.
