Colbert Happy to Nab Heyward With the 31st Pick

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert had a long night waiting on Thursday, watching as teams threw curveballs and picks at the board at the 2011 NFL Draft.

Then finally, one pick before the night it was over, it was the turn of the Steelers. The Black and Gold wasted little time, as their pick came to the hand of commish Roger Goodell almost as soon as the Jets were done with the 30th pick.

And with that, Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward became the latest member of the Steelers. He brings youth to a D-line the team has wanted to address, and passing by a couple interesting cornerbacks, the Steelers instead picked a young man they think will be good for a long time to come.

“This is one of those special players,” Colbert said. “Not only from a football standpoint, this kid as an impeccable character, work habits, toughness, you name it. It’s hard to find a hole with this guy. He’s a special player. A special person.”

Colbert knows about Cameron due to the career of his father, the late Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, who was a fullback in the league. His legacy can now go on with the pick of Cameron, who shed tears being around family and friends.

“Of course, you’re familiar with his father [‘Ironhead’ of Pitt 1985-87]. This is a special moment for this organization, and we’re really, really excited to have this kid join us,” Colbert said. “It was something we hoped could happen. It really looks like the stars kind of aligned for us today. I’m real positive that Cameron feels the same.”