Cameron Heyward uses brother's first training camp to take shot at Michigan State

Cameron Heyward is now getting to experience NFL life with his brother. The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Connor Heyward in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. While he is happy to have his family with him, he says it’s all business when the two are on the field.

Heyward discussed the unique opportunity of having Connor join him in training camp and in the pros during an interview on Good Morning Football. According to him, family time has to wait until after practice.

“I’m not in big brother mode right now. I’m in teammate mode and there’s a big difference. I’m hard on him (because) I want him to succeed. Once that whistle at the end of practice happens, that’s when I talk to him the most,” said Heyward. “He’s just trying to make a name for himself, he’s trying to continue to grow and he’s trying to continue to just keep getting better.”

Cam Heyward is a five-time Pro Bowler as he enters his 12th season with Pittsburgh. Connor joins him after playing five years at Michigan State. After transitioning from running back to tight end, he caught 35 balls for 326 yards and two touchdowns.

During the interview, Heyward did great to bring some sibling rivalry into play. While his brother was a Spartan, Cameron went to Big Ten rival Ohio State and was a Buckeye from 2007-2010. He says that he’s glad his brother will get to experience a winning culture now that he’s away from East Lansing.

“This is new territory for him,” said Heyward. “At Michigan State, I don’t think they beat Ohio State a lot so it kind of weighed on him. Now (he) gets to be a part of Ohio State tradition and play with guys that know how to win.”

The Heyward brothers are the third pair of brothers on the Pittsburgh roster. With both out of the Big Ten and college rivalries aside, Connor will do his best to stick in the pros alongside his All-Pro big bro.