AJC
Lions' Heyward to honor dad's memory tonight
By JOHN HOLLIS / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/03/06 One question on a preseason survey asked Cameron Heyward his "best high school football memory."
He said the magic moment was yet to come.
Jason Getz/AJC
Peachtree Ridge's Cameron Heyward is dedicating his Senior Night performance to his late father, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.
"It will be on Senior Night, playing for my father," wrote Heyward, Peachtree Ridge's blue-chip defensive tackle.
His favorite memory will be made tonight.
Before the Lions' final home game of the season (7:30 vs. North Forsyth), Heyward will step onto the field with his mother, Charlotte Heyward-Blackwell, on his arm. His father, the late Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, will be in his heart.
"He's gonna be there," said Cameron, who has a picture of his father hanging in his locker. "I know I can't forget about him. I keep him in my heart, so I'm just going to play all-out."
Craig Heyward passed away in May after eight years battling a rare form of brain cancer. "Ironhead," as he was known for his powerful running style during an 11-year NFL career, was his son's favorite player.
Cameron, a 6-foot-6, 282-pound defensive tackle who is one of the state's top college prospects, dedicated his season to his dad. And he wanted to honor him with more than his play.
A tattoo was out, because Dad didn't like them.
So his tribute is written in permanent marker ? "Ironhead" ? on the back of one of his cleats and on the knuckles of his playing gloves. "Charlotte," is written on the other shoe and on the inside of the gloves, honoring his mother whose strength through the illness, despite being divorced and remarried, kept the family together.
"It's like when he's playing on the field, that's who he's playing for," Peachtree Ridge quarterback Zach Graham said. "I just know he's taken [his father's death] as well as can be expected. I think it's made him work that much harder to do things that would make his dad proud."
Craig Heyward's sickness was diagnosed in 1998 when complaints of headaches and dizziness led to the discovery of a tumor. By fall 2005, Cameron and his brothers were helping take care of their father, taking turns spending the night at his home before heading off to school. By spring 2006, Craig Heyward could no longer see out of one eye and was using a wheelchair.
His death devastated Cameron.
"There were times when I didn't want to do anything," Cameron Heyward said, "but you just have to know he's in a better place. He was fighting through it and struggling. I just know he doesn't have to suffer anymore."
Amid his grief, Cameron was able to maintain a focus on the football field. He has 69 tackles and five sacks in eight games. The Lions are favored to win tonight and next week against Duluth, earning their first football playoff berth.
Cameron Heyward had more than 40 football scholarship offers, and recently narrowed his list to six ? Georgia, LSU, Florida, Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Southern California.
Whatever he decides, Cameron Heyward says he still plans to live the way his doting parents, and especially his late father, taught him.
"Play as hard as I can," he said, "and make a good image for him. Live up to what he always wanted me to be.
Lions' Heyward to honor dad's memory tonight
By JOHN HOLLIS / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/03/06 One question on a preseason survey asked Cameron Heyward his "best high school football memory."
He said the magic moment was yet to come.
Peachtree Ridge's Cameron Heyward is dedicating his Senior Night performance to his late father, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.
"It will be on Senior Night, playing for my father," wrote Heyward, Peachtree Ridge's blue-chip defensive tackle.
His favorite memory will be made tonight.
Before the Lions' final home game of the season (7:30 vs. North Forsyth), Heyward will step onto the field with his mother, Charlotte Heyward-Blackwell, on his arm. His father, the late Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, will be in his heart.
"He's gonna be there," said Cameron, who has a picture of his father hanging in his locker. "I know I can't forget about him. I keep him in my heart, so I'm just going to play all-out."
Craig Heyward passed away in May after eight years battling a rare form of brain cancer. "Ironhead," as he was known for his powerful running style during an 11-year NFL career, was his son's favorite player.
Cameron, a 6-foot-6, 282-pound defensive tackle who is one of the state's top college prospects, dedicated his season to his dad. And he wanted to honor him with more than his play.
A tattoo was out, because Dad didn't like them.
So his tribute is written in permanent marker ? "Ironhead" ? on the back of one of his cleats and on the knuckles of his playing gloves. "Charlotte," is written on the other shoe and on the inside of the gloves, honoring his mother whose strength through the illness, despite being divorced and remarried, kept the family together.
"It's like when he's playing on the field, that's who he's playing for," Peachtree Ridge quarterback Zach Graham said. "I just know he's taken [his father's death] as well as can be expected. I think it's made him work that much harder to do things that would make his dad proud."
Craig Heyward's sickness was diagnosed in 1998 when complaints of headaches and dizziness led to the discovery of a tumor. By fall 2005, Cameron and his brothers were helping take care of their father, taking turns spending the night at his home before heading off to school. By spring 2006, Craig Heyward could no longer see out of one eye and was using a wheelchair.
His death devastated Cameron.
"There were times when I didn't want to do anything," Cameron Heyward said, "but you just have to know he's in a better place. He was fighting through it and struggling. I just know he doesn't have to suffer anymore."
Amid his grief, Cameron was able to maintain a focus on the football field. He has 69 tackles and five sacks in eight games. The Lions are favored to win tonight and next week against Duluth, earning their first football playoff berth.
Cameron Heyward had more than 40 football scholarship offers, and recently narrowed his list to six ? Georgia, LSU, Florida, Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Southern California.
Whatever he decides, Cameron Heyward says he still plans to live the way his doting parents, and especially his late father, taught him.
"Play as hard as I can," he said, "and make a good image for him. Live up to what he always wanted me to be.
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