When Derrick Harmon faced challenges during his college career at Michigan State and Oregon, he found strength in the resilience of his mother, Tiffany Saine.
“Whenever I felt tired or injured, I always thought about how my mom could keep going after brain surgery. That’s what kept me going,” Harmon shared. “Her resilience, her hard work, became my motivation.”
Saine had undergone multiple brain surgeries and suffered a stroke in recent years as her son worked his way from a prospect to a likely NFL first-round pick. Shortly after the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Harmon 21st overall, he went to visit his mother to say goodbye.
Tragically, Saine passed away just hours after her son fulfilled the dream they had worked so hard to achieve together.
After receiving the call from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin informing him of the selection, Harmon learned his mother was on life support. He shared that he was heading to the hospital to tell her about the draft, but she passed away soon after.
Steelers President Art Rooney II expressed condolences to Harmon and his family. “While we are thrilled to welcome Derrick to our team, our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of his mother, Tiffany Saine,” Rooney said. “We will support Derrick in every way possible as he navigates this difficult time. We hope that the love and support from the organization and Steelers fans around the world will bring him comfort.”
At 21 years old, Harmon described the moment of being drafted as bittersweet. He had a draft party with family and loved ones, but his thoughts were consumed with the absence of his mother, who had been by his side through so much.
“After all those brain surgeries, she didn’t give up,” Harmon said. “She kept going to practice, kept going to work.”
Now, Harmon will carry on that same resilience, but he knows he’s not alone. “I’m blessed to have a village around me,” he said, ready to face the challenges ahead.