"Ironhead" Heyward died today

LSUJeremy · 05-27-2006, 07:32 PM

Cancer.

It was on WWL's 5pm news.

BoudinSandwich · 05-27-2006, 07:39 PM

Sad...sad...

He was a great one.

TIGERSAINT31 · 05-27-2006, 08:26 PM

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

duece4pres · 05-27-2006, 09:27 PM

I loved to watch him crush people

smyce · 05-27-2006, 09:31 PM

Oh No.

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

LSUJeremy · 05-27-2006, 10:09 PM

LSU's recruiting his son -

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

pakowitz · 05-27-2006, 11:41 PM

'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

neugey · 05-28-2006, 07:22 AM

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

spkb25 · 05-28-2006, 10:39 AM

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

Euphoria · 05-28-2006, 10:59 AM

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

05-27-2006, 07:32 PM	#1
LSUJeremy 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 472	"Ironhead" Heyward died today Cancer. It was on WWL's 5pm news.
LSUJeremy 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 472

05-27-2006, 10:09 PM	#6
LSUJeremy 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 472	LSU's recruiting his son - http://lsu.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=45668
LSUJeremy 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 472

05-27-2006, 11:41 PM	#7
pakowitz The Dark Overlord Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,450	'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
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05-27-2006, 07:39 PM	#2
BoudinSandwich OldiesDJ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scott, LA Posts: 951 Blog Entries: 12	Sad...sad... He was a great one.

05-27-2006, 08:26 PM	#3
TIGERSAINT31 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Smithdale M.S. Posts: 107	Sad day for Saints fans R.I.P. Ironhead

05-27-2006, 09:27 PM	#4
duece4pres Biloxi Bandit Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: biloxi, ms Posts: 293	I loved to watch him crush people

05-27-2006, 09:31 PM	#5
smyce 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cedar Falls, IA Posts: 184	Oh No. Thats sad. Always a fan favorite. Rest In Peace.

05-28-2006, 07:22 AM	#8
neugey Hu Dat! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,697 Blog Entries: 13	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

05-28-2006, 10:39 AM	#9
spkb25 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 13,097	that is to bad and very sad. way to young to go already.

05-28-2006, 10:59 AM	#10
Euphoria 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 5	I heard last night and I was in shock hearing the news. Rest in Peace Ironhead.