"Ironhead" Heyward died today
 

Cancer.

It was on WWL's 5pm news.

Sad...sad...

He was a great one.

Sad day for Saints fans R.I.P. Ironhead

I loved to watch him crush people

Oh No.

Thats sad. Always a fan favorite. Rest In Peace.

LSU's recruiting his son -

http://lsu.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=45668

'Ironhead' Heyward loses battle with recurring tumorBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


ATLANTA -- Former NFL fullback Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, who played 11 seasons in the league with five different franchises, died here Saturday after a seven-year battle with a recurring brain tumor.

Heyward, who retired from the league following the 1998 season, was 39.

Given the severity and aggressiveness of Heyward's tumor, known as a chordoma, and the inability of surgeons to completely remove it during two operations, his death was not unexpected. Heyward also suffered a stroke a few years ago that left him partially paralyzed.

But friends who had visited recently with Heyward, including one-time NFL quarterback Bobby Hebert, a former teammate in both New Orleans and Atlanta, certainly did not expect his death to come so quickly.

Hebert told ESPN.com two weeks ago that he was apprised that the tumor had wrapped itself around Heyward's brain, that further surgical attempts were not planned, and that the once-mighty fullback would likely survive another three to five years.

"The one thing he's still got and that hasn't changed a bit," Hebert said at the time, "is that devilish sense of humor of his. Hopefully, that will keep him going for a while."

In a statement released by the University of Pittsburgh, coach Dave Wannstedt, who helped direct Heyward to the school and also coached him with the Chicago Bears, said: "I will always remember him as a tremendous player who had an irrepressible attitude on and off the field. We spoke just a few weeks ago and I was struck by the typical upbeat 'Ironhead' attitude he displayed despite his health. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Pitt family are with Craig's loved ones during this time of sorrow."

Heyward departed Pitt as an underclassman to enter the NFL draft and was the first-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in 1988. He played from 1988-92 for the Saints and then had stints with Chicago (1993), Atlanta (1994-96), St. Louis (1997) and Indianapolis (1998).

In 149 games, Heyward registered 1,031 carries for 4,301 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also posted 177 receptions for 1,559 yards and four touchdowns. His finest season came with the Falcons in 1995, when he rushed for 1,083 yards and six touchdowns and earned his lone Pro Bowl berth.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2460799

I always liked Ironhead. I remember renting Sega Genesis football games w/ my friend and always playing the Saints. I drove him crazy calling FB Dive plays and running Ironhead between the tackles basically the whole game and racking up yardage.

Even though we was good w/ the Saints, he reached his peak while playing in Atlanta. I wish the FO would've resigned him and kept him in a Saints uniform for good. He set the bar for players like Jerome Bettis and Mike Alstott.

BTW, Wikipedia updated his profile ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Heyward

that is to bad and very sad. way to young to go already.

I heard last night and I was in shock hearing the news. Rest in Peace Ironhead.

R.I.P. Head. Good dude.

God Bless the Heyward family. Craig was a great football player, and funny as heck. The Zest commercials and his "Thingy" were classic.

Man I loved that guy. He brought a lot of color to the team with his personality. I didn't know he had a brain tumor the past 2 years. Rest in Peace brother.

Halo- The brain tumor is what ended his career. Mora signed him while in Indy, and not too long into the 98 season the tumor was discovered. Ironhead immediately retired, I think it was like 4 or 5 games into the season.

he was one of the reasons i originally became a saints fan.

my prayers will be with his family and loved ones.

rest his soul.

:saintsfan:

I had forgot that he had cancer. I was sad when I hear it.

ironhead Heyward was my first "favorite" saint GOD BLESS :(

He was only 39 years old , he was one power machine, loved watching him making the defensive line pay dearly .

Christ!
and God bless him.

Ironhead was one of my heroes. I met him when he came over to the UK for the "American Bowl" in 1990. I watched the Saints train then and he was the one to watch. An absolute brickwall, also had deceptively soft hands.

I used to joke......... just giev it to Ironhead, gain just enough for 1st downs and run doen the clock.

It news like this that makes you wonder where all the time has gone. Unfortunately Ironhead has no more :(

Like I posted in the other thread.....He was my favorite Saint back in the day. Everytime the Saints would line up on a second or third and like 3 or 4 yards.....you knew damn well who was gettin the ball and you knew damn what was going to happen to people trying to bring him down......"First Down Saints!!!" Thanx for the memories Craig. You were one of the key players in my becoming a Saints fan.

God Bless and may he rest in Peace. :saintsfan:

He was too young to go ... heck I didn't even know he was sick. May he rest in Peace.

:angel: