From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year for several Steelers players as they were selected to the 2019 Pro Bowl.
Six players were selected, including Antonio Brown, James Conner, David DeCastro, Cameron Heyward, Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva.
Consistent. Relentless. Dominant. Fierce.
Those four words describe Cameron Heyward.
So do these four words.
Pro Bowl defensive tackle.
Heyward was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time, although he was selected as a replacement player last year when many felt he was snubbed for the postseason all-star game.
“Cam Heyward quite frankly is just a dominant player,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “He is dominant versus the run. He is dominant versus the pass. He is a guy that gets the opportunity to rush all over the front for us, against tackles, against guards, against centers. We ask him to do a lot. Last year’s first Pro Bowl season was well-deserved. Probably had some deserving seasons prior to that, but he had the splash numbers, the 12 plus sacks was significant.”
Heyward has six sacks, 46 tackles – second among AFC defensive tackles – two pass defenses, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. It’s the pressure that Heyward brings, getting in the face of opposing quarterbacks, that makes him such a nuisance for offenses. He has 16 quarterback pressures this year, and those have made a huge difference for the defense.
“He has been just as dominant here in 2018,” said Tomlin. “Maybe the sack total doesn’t reflect it, but his play sure does, both versus the run and the pass. Cam is a quality man not only as a player, but as a leader. Not only for our defense, but for our football team.”
Congratulations to all the players selected, and especially to Cam with his first selection!
Cam put in the hard work, but we also want to send a big thanks to Steelers Nation for all the fan votes they delivered! #BestFans
