Long before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called his name as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Derrick Harmon had already captured the hearts of football fans nationwide. The defensive tackle’s journey from Detroit to the NFL spotlight is marked not by highlight-reel plays alone, but by profound family devotion and sacrifice that transcends the sport itself.
Derrick Harmon’s Emotional Gift to His Mother Is Winning Over NFL Fans
Harmon’s path to Pittsburgh began at Michigan State, where he spent three seasons recording 71 tackles and 3.5 sacks across 28 games. His transfer to Oregon for his final collegiate season proved transformative, as he blossomed into a defensive powerhouse with 45 tackles, five sacks, and two fumble recoveries in 14 games.
These performances, coupled with impressive physical metrics including a 4.95-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, established him as a premier interior defensive lineman in the draft class.
But what truly distinguishes Harmon isn’t found in stat sheets or combine results – it’s in the quiet moments of sacrifice and love that defined his pre-NFL journey.
When asked about his first major purchase after receiving NIL money, Harmon’s answer revealed everything about his character and priorities: “I bought my mom a car… So I was able to get her a van, accessible-type for her, where she’s able to put her wheelchair in and her partner’s just able to drive her around.”
This wasn’t a flashy luxury purchase that many young athletes might make – it was a thoughtful solution for his mother, Tiffany Saine, who had endured multiple brain surgeries and faced significant mobility challenges.
The accessible van represented freedom and dignity for the woman who had sacrificed so much for his success.
Heartwarming: Newly drafted Steelers DT Derrick Harmon used his NIL Money to buy an accessible van for his mom after she had a stroke.
Pittsburgh got a good one ❤️👏 pic.twitter.com/8N7E5YWYqw
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 25, 2025
Harmon chose to attend Michigan State initially because it kept him just 45 minutes from home, allowing him to remain close to his mother during her health struggles. This decision reflected the deep bond between mother and son that would later become the emotional cornerstone of his draft night story.
A Bittersweet Draft Night Becomes a Testament to Family
What should have been the most celebratory night of Harmon’s young life was shadowed by concern for his mother, who was on life support during the draft. “She’s at the hospital right now on life support, so that was a little bittersweet because she worked as hard as I did to get to this moment,” Harmon shared.
Immediately after hearing his name called by the Steelers, Harmon left the draft festivities to be at his mother’s bedside, sharing his achievement with her in her final moments. Tragically, she passed away shortly after his arrival – a heartbreaking conclusion to their shared journey toward his NFL dream.
During his post-draft press conference, Harmon’s words painted a portrait of the woman who inspired his relentless drive: “Man, how resilient she was, man. Just growing up from my standpoint, my situation, I grew up with her having probably seven or eight brain surgeries. And after all those brain surgeries, man, she did not give up. She still needed practice, still went to work.”
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He continued, “I always, always in the back of my head from the beginning of my college career was, why can’t I keep going? If I’m tired, injured, whatever it is, why can’t I keep going? If she can get up, she can keep going after brain surgeries. So, just her resilience and her hard work. She was my inspiration.”
As Harmon begins his career with the Steelers, learning under veterans like Cameron Heyward, he carries forward his ambitions and his mother’s legacy of perseverance. This story has made him a beloved figure in Pittsburgh, even before he played a single down.
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