Derrick Harmon, the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is mourning the heartbreaking loss of his mother, Tiffany Saine, who passed away shortly after his selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Saine died after Harmon visited her in the hospital to share the exciting news. Harmon’s mother had been battling health complications for years after suffering a stroke in 2021 during his freshman year at Michigan State, which left her partially paralyzed. Despite her struggles, she remained a major source of inspiration for Harmon throughout his football journey.
In an emotional media call following his first-round pick, Harmon reflected on the bittersweet moment. "She worked just as hard as me to get to this moment," he said. "After I get off the phone with you guys, I’m going to head straight to the hospital and tell her that her son got drafted."
Harmon, who later transferred to Oregon in 2024 to chase bigger opportunities, credited his mother’s resilience through multiple brain surgeries for shaping his relentless attitude on and off the field.
Sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram, Harmon posted photos with his caption, "We did it mama!!!".
The Steelers and the NFL community have rallied around Harmon, offering support as he steps into his professional career while coping with such a profound loss.
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