How can one write something that is both cruel and deeply rooted in the reality of our world? The NFL franchises picked 32 names yesterday in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and all players must have been ecstatic. After all, the rare feat comes once in everyone’s life and changes everything from top to bottom. For Derrick Harmon, yesterday still demanded celebration and joy, but how could he? This wasn’t a day to celebrate for him but to mourn the loss of a pillar of strength who supported him since he was a little kid.

Derrick Harmon went with high hopes in the NFL draft, having come from an incredible season with the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks finished an unbeaten regular season with Dan Lanning as the head coach and Dillon Gabriel behind the center. But, amidst all that offensive brilliance, Harmon’s feats went unnoticed by many playing as a defensive tackle. The player won Second Team All-Big Ten honors and notched up 45 tackles and five sacks.

The NFL scouts took notice of him, though, and the Steelers came calling with their 21st first-round pick. But just when he should have celebrated, he got the news that his lifelong supporter and pillar of his strength, his mom, passed away 487 miles away in a hospital. The news was awfully cruel and showed how life presents some very tough challenges for us. But, for a 21-year-old guy, the news can be brutally heartbreaking.

Harmon showed resilience in tough times and said he would follow his mom’s example with his outlook on life. “Just growing up from my standpoint and my situation, I grew up with her having probably seven to eight brain surgeries, and after all those brain surgeries, she did not give up. She still took me to practice, still went to work. Always in the back of my head from the beginning of my college career was, ‘Why can’t I keep going if I’m tired or I’m injured, whatever it is, why can’t I keep going if she can get up and keep going after brain surgery.’ So just her resilience and her hard work really.“.

Harmon’s mom, Saine, suffered a stroke when Harmon was a freshman at Michigan State in 2021. She was then hospitalized and was paralyzed on the left side. Harmon used to visit his mom regularly, even in Oregon’s regular season in Detroit, where she battled through a lifelong illness and finally left the player. But even in the moment she left him, Harmon still got to tell her mom about his draft pick by the Steelers. This, at least, would be a bit of satisfaction for the DT, who has a long road ahead of him.

Oregon and the Steelers’ community pour in support for Derrick Harmon

The Oregon and Steelers fraternity poured in heartfelt messages for the defensive tackle. Harmon transferred from Michigan State at the start of the 2024 season after spending 4 seasons with Michigan State. The player in total notched up 68 total tackles while playing for the team, with 3.5 sacks in the 4 years. One of the users shared a heartwarming message for the DT.

“Love, thoughts, and prayers to Derrick and his family. That’s heartbreaking, but at least she got to share that moment with him. I hope this young man has a legendary career with his team.” While another wrote, “He got to tell his mom he made it. Absolutely heartbreaking 💔”. 

The news is certainly gut-wrenching and emotional. At this moment, we can just hope that the player shows resilience and makes her mama proud with his incredible performances in the NFL. Another user prayed for Harmon’s mom and said, “Such a sad f—– story. RIP, I hope Derrick can find peace and dominate in this league.” While another wrote, “He’s gonna be a Steeler for life.”

Well, the player does bring a lot to the Steelers’ trenches with immense athleticism and physique. Standing at 6’41/2″ and 313 lbs, the player is a built-in tank and would pose problems for the best of the offenses. Moreover, his incredible ability to stop ground games is something that will come in handy for a team that struggled against the run in 2024.

Another user summarized the cruelty of life. “Man, that’s heartbreaking. One of the best moments of his life followed by one of the worst.” The news is undoubtedly heartbreaking, and it may take some time for the player to emerge from it. But we will hope he comes back strong and lights up those charts and has a rookie season that makes his mom proud.