Steelers rookie Derrick Harmon receives heartbreaking news about his mother following NFL Draft

On Thursday night, the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft brought both celebration and heartbreak for Michigan State defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 21 overall pick, Harmon achieved his lifelong dream—only to be met with devastating personal news shortly after.

While the Steelers’ decision to pass on high-profile quarterback Shedeur Sanders surprised many, the franchise made headlines by selecting Harmon, a standout defender with immense upside. However, the moment quickly turned somber.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Harmon’s mother, Tiffany Saine, who had been on life support, passed away just after Harmon visited her in the hospital to share the news of his selection. “Derrick Harmon’s mom, who was on life support, passed away shortly after he went to the hospital and got to tell her he had been drafted by the Steelers,” Dulac reported via X (formerly Twitter).

The loss is a painful one for the Harmon family, especially for Derrick, who had spoken often about his mother’s influence and strength. “It was a little bittersweet,” Harmon said during his post-draft press conference. “My mom wasn’t with me. She’s at the hospital right now on life support. After I get off the phone, I’m going to head straight to the hospital and tell her her son got drafted.”

Derrick Harmon #DL15 of Oregon participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine

A mother’s resilience

Harmon’s mother, Tiffany Saine, suffered a stroke in 2022 during her son’s first year at Michigan State, which left her partially paralyzed. Prior to that, she had undergone multiple brain surgeries. During a media appearance earlier this season, Harmon said the most meaningful purchase he made with his NIL earnings was a wheelchair-accessible van for her.

see also

NFL News: Mike Tomlin and Steelers reportedly made an intriguing move with Aaron Rodgers before passing on Shedeur Sanders in 2025 Draft

“I grew up with her having probably seven or eight brain surgeries,” Harmon said Thursday night. “And after all those brain surgeries, she did not give up. She still took me to practice, still went to work. And I always kept that in the back of my mind. If she can get up and keep going after brain surgery, I can push through anything—fatigue, injury, whatever it is.”

A future in Pittsburgh

Despite the emotional toll, Harmon now steps into the NFL with the resolve and strength instilled in him by his mother. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin described Harmon’s addition as a matter of “extreme urgency” for a team looking to reinforce its defensive front. Known for his power, motor, and athleticism, Harmon is expected to become a key contributor in Pittsburgh’s future plans.

In the face of immense personal grief, Derrick Harmon begins his NFL journey not just as a first-round pick—but as a symbol of resilience, shaped by the unwavering spirit of a mother who believed in his dream until the very end.