NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
After Derrick Harmon was the 21st overall election Thursday, the latest Pittsburgh Steeler had to break the news to his mother.
Harmon was unable to see the draft with her mother because she was on life support in a hospital.
Harmon said that getting a draft was “bittersweet” because he couldn’t spend it with his mother.
Just after being chosen, Harmon traveled to a hospital to visit her mother, Tiffany Sainer, and tell her “Her son was drafted.”
CLICK HERE for more sports cover at Foxnews.com
Oregon ducks defensive Lineman Derrick Harmon (55) responds in the second half against Ohio State Buckeyes in 2025 Rose Bowl College Football Quarterfinal Game on Rose Bowl stadium. (Kirby Lee/Imag- Pictures)
According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Saint died shortly after.
Harmon, a defensive tackle, was taken by Steelers.
Harmon said his mother had a stroke when he was a beginner in Michigan State, who left her paralyzed on her left side. She had “about eight brain operations,” Harmon said.
“She’s the reason I’m here. She’s the reason I did everything up to this point,” Harmon said.
Oregon ducks defensive Lineman Derrick Harmon (55) responds in the second half against Ohio State Buckeyes in 2025 Rose Bowl College Football Quarterfinal Game on Rose Bowl stadium. (Kirby Lee/Imag- Pictures)
Get Full 2025 NFL draft coverage with real-time choices, expert analysis and can’t miss moments
Harmon also said he used his zero money to buy his mother an accessible van.
“Man, how resilient she was, man. Just growing up from my point of view, my situation, I grew up with her, which probably had seven, eight brain operations,” Harmon said after being chosen. “And after all these brain surgeries, man, she did not give up.
“She still took me to practice, still went to work. Always my back in my head from the beginning of my college career was, ‘Why can’t I go on? If I’m tired, I’m hurt no matter what it is, why can I continue if she can get up and she can continue to go for brain operations.’
“So just her resilience and her hard work, really. She was my inspiration.”
Oregon Ducks Defensive Lineman Derrick Harmon forces a fumble by Idaho Vandals Quarterback Jack Layne 31 August 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. (Ben Lonergan/Register-Guard/USA Today Network via imagn images)
The 6-Foot-5, 310-Pund Harmon spent three seasons in Michigan State before transferring to Oregon, where he flourished in a disturbing strength. Harmon was another team of All-American last season while ending with five sacks and 10½ tackles for loss for the ducks.
