Craig Heyward

Professional Football Researchers Association

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Craig Heyward

This article was written by Matt Keddie.

Craig “Ironhead” Heyward always posed a problem for the defense when he stepped onto

the football field. His 5'11” and nearly 300 pound stature was misleading because he

possessed uncanny speed for his size and a nasty, competitive attitude.

ESPN

sportswriter Len Pasquarelli described him as, “He was one of the toughest, nastiest

SOBs that I have encountered in 28 years of covering the NFL, a man whose menacing

scowl could seemingly strip paint from a wall, and who reveled in his own brute

physicality and took glee from imposing his strength on others.”

Heyward enjoyed a productive, 11-year NFL career that spanned five different clubs: the

New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, and Indianapolis

Colts. He totaled 4,301 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns, while hauling in 177

passes that yielded 1,559 yards and four touchdowns.

His versatility was heavily utilized

as he rotated between fullback and halfback.

Heyward's professional career began when he was selected by the New Orleans Saints

with the 24

pick in the 1988 NFL draft.

New Orleans General Manager Jim Finks

labeled him, “the best blocking back in the league.”

As an example, in a game against

the Seattle Seahawks, Heyward smashed Brian Bosworth on six consecutive plays that

resulted in Bosworth having enough. Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert recalled, “After

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about the third time, Bosworth was crying. Honest. Tears were rolling down his face, 
because he didn't want Ironhead to hit him anymore. He cried 'Uncle!' for real. Ironhead, 
he just laughed at him.”
6
 
In his first two seasons, Heyward served as the blocking back for Dalton Hilliard, who 
was the team's leading rusher. Hilliard enjoyed success running behind Heyward, 
yielding a 1,262 yard output in 1989.
7
 Hilliard led the league in touches and was named 
to the Pro Bowl and to the second all-pro team by the Associated Press and the 
Newspaper Ent Association.
8
 
In 1990, Heyward took over the starting fullback duties. He contributed 720 total yards 
and four touchdowns, leading the Saints in rushing.
9
 Under Jim Mora, New Orleans 
enjoyed success, making three playoff appearances in five seasons. New Orleans won 
double-digit games three times and claimed the 1991 NFC West Division title, turning in 
an 11-5 record.
10
 It was the franchise’s first division title since joining the NFL in 1967.
Heyward was released by the team following the 1992 season. He then signed a contract 
with the Chicago Bears for the 1993 season, blocking for backs Tim Worley and Neal 
Anderson. The Bears struggled to a 7-9 mark under Dave Wannstedt, losing their final 
four games.
11
 Heyward was released by Chicago, then signed with Atlanta for the 1994 
campaign, where he would spend his next three years.
1
“Craig Heyward,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-football-
reference.com/players/H/HeywCr00.htm. 
2
Spence, Blaine. “Craig Heyward: A Man Called 'Ironhead',” bleacherreport.com, September 26, 2009, 
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/261862-craig-heyward-a-man-called-ironhead. 
3
“Craig Heyward,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-football-
reference.com/players/H/HeywCr00.htm. 
4
“Craig Heyward,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-football-
reference.com/players/H/HeywCr00.htm. 
5
Spence, Blaine. “Craig Heyward: A Man Called 'Ironhead',” bleacherreport.com, September 26, 2009, 
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/261862-craig-heyward-a-man-called-ironhead. 
6
Spence, Blaine. “Craig Heyward: A Man Called 'Ironhead',” bleacherreport.com, September 26, 2009, 
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/261862-craig-heyward-a-man-called-ironhead. 
7
“Dalton Hilliard,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-football-
reference.com/players/H/HillDa00.htm. 
8
“Dalton Hilliard,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-football-
reference.com/players/H/HillDa00.htm. 
9
“Craig Heyward,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-football-
reference.com/players/H/HeywCr00.htm. 
1
0 “New Orleans Saints Franchise Encyclopedia,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 
2022, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nor/. 
1
1 “1993 Chicago Bears Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees,” ProFootballReference.com, 
accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1993.htm. 
2

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In Atlanta, he reunited with New Orleans teammate Bobby Hebert.
12
 Under June Jones' 
offense, Atlanta ranked in the top 10 in yards gained. Heyward starred as the feature 
back, leading the team in rushing with 779 yards, gaining over 1,000 total yards in 
1994.
13
 The Falcons improved from 7-9 to 9-7 in 1995, qualifying for the playoffs for the 
first time in four seasons, behind Heyward's stellar, 1,000 yard rushing season.
14
 
Unfortunately for Atlanta, they met the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs who beat them,
37-20. The Packers eventually advanced to the NFC Championship Game against the 
Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys. 
The Falcons regressed to a morbid 3-13 record in 1996, releasing Heyward following the 
season.
15
 He then moved on to St. Louis, starting in 12 of 16 contests the following 
season. His production declined because head coach Dick Vermeil favored a pass heavy 
offense. St. Louis struggled to a 5-11 mark and Heyward moved on to Indianapolis for 
his final season in 1998.
16
 He played in just four contests due to medical reasons.
Heyward complained about blurred vision. Doctors discovered a large, malignant  tumor 
on his brain stem. Forced to retire, he underwent surgery that mostly removed the 
tumor.
17
 Nearly a decade later in 2005, he suffered a stroke that paralyzed him and caused
partial blindness. Sadly, the next year Heyward passed away from cancer at the age of 
39.
18
 He played in 149 career games, making 107 starts and averaged 4.2 yards per rush.
19
Heyward was an outstanding back in college at the University of Pittsburgh, where he 
played three seasons. His senior season in 1987 was monumental. He was the nation's 
leading rusher, accounting for 1,791 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns for an average of 
4.6 yards per carry.
20
 The Panthers turned in an 8-3 regular season, their best mark since 
1983, losing to Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl, 32-27. As a result, Heyward earned first-
1
2 “Craig Heyward,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-
football-reference.com/players/H/HeywCr00.htm. 
1
3 “1994 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees,” ProFootballReference.com, 
accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/1994.htm. 
1
4 “Atlanta Falcons Franchise Encyclopedia,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, 
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/. 
1
5 “Atlanta Falcons Franchise Encyclopedia,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, 
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/. 
1
6 “1997 St. Louis Rams Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees,” ProFootballReference.com, 
accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/1997.htm. 
1
7 Spence, Blaine. “Craig Heyward: A Man Called 'Ironhead',” bleacherreport.com, September 26, 
2009, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/261862-craig-heyward-a-man-called-ironhead. 
1
8 Spence, Blaine. “Craig Heyward: A Man Called 'Ironhead',” bleacherreport.com, September 26, 
2009, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/261862-craig-heyward-a-man-called-ironhead. 
1
9 “Craig Heyward,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-
football-reference.com/players/H/HeywCr00.htm. 
3

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team All-American honors and he finished fifth in the Heisman trophy balloting.
21
 He 
decided to turn pro with one year of eligibility remaining. 
For his college career, Heyward amassed 3,086 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. He 
was one of seven Panthers drafted in the 1988 NFL draft, the team's only first round 
selection.
22
 The 1987 season was memorable for Pitt and for Heyward. The opening 
game, a 27-17 win over BYU, exacted revenge from a defeat in 1984 that saw Heyward 
run for 133 yards and toss a 17-yard touchdown pass.
23
 Pitt also won close games against 
rivals West Virginia (6-3), Penn State (10-0), and No. 4 Notre Dame (30-22).
24
 Head 
coach Mike Gottfried pleaded for Heyward to stay at school for his senior season, but he 
was granted eligibility for the draft. 
Craig William Heyward was born on September 26, 1966 in Passaic, New Jersey. He 
attended Passaic High School prior to the University of Pittsburgh.
25
 Growing up, he 
earned the nickname “Ironhead” from his middle school days. One day, he spent time at 
the local Boys & Girls Club when a fight broke out between him and another kid that saw
the kid break a pool cue over his head.
26
 Craig felt no effects. After hearing of the story, 
his grandmother dubbed him, “Ironhead.” The nickname stuck with Craig through high 
school and into college.
27
 His size coupled with the nickname was intimidating, however, 
on the inside, Ironhead had a soft spot. He thoroughly enjoyed being the center of 
attention.
Sports were big to him, thus encouraging his four sons - Craig Jr., Cameron, Corey, and 
Connor – all who played sports at the collegiate or professional levels.
28
 Cameron and 
Connor play defensive end and tight end, respectively, for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 
Cameron wrote regarding the topic, “My dad loved it – every minute of it. He ate it up. 
2
0 “Craig Heyward,” SportsReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.sports-
reference.com/cfb/players/craig-heyward-2.html. 
2
1 “Craig Heyward,” SportsReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.sports-
reference.com/cfb/players/craig-heyward-2.html. 
2
2 “Craig Heyward,” SportsReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.sports-
reference.com/cfb/players/craig-heyward-2.html. 
2
3 Spence, Blaine. “Craig Heyward: A Man Called 'Ironhead',” bleacherreport.com, September 26, 
2009, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/261862-craig-heyward-a-man-called-ironhead. 
2
4 “1987 Pitt Panthers Scheduled and Results,” SportsReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, 
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/pittsburgh/1987-schedule.html. 
2
5 “Craig Heyward,” ProFootballReference.com, accessed October 8, 2022, https://www.pro-
football-reference.com/players/H/HeywCr00.htm. 
2
6 Heyward, Cameron. “For Ironhead,” theplayerstribune.com, August 11, 2016, 
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/cameron-heyward-steelers-tribute-ironhead. 
2
7 Heyward, Cameron. “For Ironhead,” theplayerstribune.com, August 11, 2016, 
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/cameron-heyward-steelers-tribute-ironhead. 
2
8 Heyward, Cameron. “For Ironhead,” theplayerstribune.com, August 11, 2016, 
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/cameron-heyward-steelers-tribute-ironhead. 
4

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And because he was so popular, and people paid so much attention to him, he always 
wanted to be the life of the party. He was always trying to do the unexpected, just to 
make those around him smile and laugh.”
29
 Cameron also recalls a time during middle 
school when he received an award at an assembly. Craig showed up, creating a sight to 
behold. Cameron said, “So I'm sitting there waiting to get the award, and I look over and 
see my dad roll up wearing – I kid you not – an all-gold satin suit. … In front of all my 
friends, my teachers, everybody. … It was ridiculous. I mean, who does that? And, like 
… why? But that was my dad. And, looking back on it, I can't say I was all that surprised 
at the time. Dad wore that suit just to be different – to turn heads.”
30
 Of course, Cameron 
has no regrets. He remembers, “It was a huge hit, of course. The kids loved it. And that 
experience was exactly in line with the man I grew up loving. He did stuff like that every 
single day, just to make things interesting. That's the quality in my dad that I remember 
most.”
31
 
Craig's soft spot extended beyond his family, to the public, that originated during his 
college days. Cameron said, “And one thing about my dad is that he always showed love 
in return. It wasn't a one-way thing. When he was playing at Pitt, he really enjoyed 
visiting patients at Children's Hospital. He always looked forward to those trips. He 
genuinely cared about those kids, and those experiences were important to him.”
32
 
Cameron also recalled his father participating in volunteer work at the local Goodwill in 
Pittsburgh, giving pointers on how the workers can increase the efficiency of their 
processes.
33
 
2
9 Heyward, Cameron. “For Ironhead,” theplayerstribune.com, August 11, 2016, 
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/cameron-heyward-steelers-tribute-ironhead. 
3
0 Heyward, Cameron. “For Ironhead,” theplayerstribune.com, August 11, 2016, 
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/cameron-heyward-steelers-tribute-ironhead. 
3
1 Heyward, Cameron. “For Ironhead,” theplayerstribune.com, August 11, 2016, 
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/cameron-heyward-steelers-tribute-ironhead. 
3
2 Heyward, Cameron. “For Ironhead,” theplayerstribune.com, August 11, 2016, 
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/cameron-heyward-steelers-tribute-ironhead. 
3
3 Heyward, Cameron. “For Ironhead,” theplayerstribune.com, August 11, 2016, 
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/cameron-heyward-steelers-tribute-ironhead. 
5