Craig “Ironhead” Heyward (2020) - Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame

Craig “Ironhead” Heyward

Induction:
2020
Class:
1988

A bruising ball carrier for the Panthers from 1984-87, Heyward ranks among the greatest—and most colorful—players in Pitt football history. Although he played only three active college seasons, Heyward is still Pitt's fifth all-time leading rusher with 3,086 yards. His dazzling 1987 season saw him emerge as a national star as he rushed for 1,791 yards to earn consensus All-America honors and finish fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Heyward rushed for 100 yards in all 12 games during that campaign. He and Tony Dorsett are the only Pitt backs to rush for at least 100 yards 12 times in a single season. In the 1988 NFL Draft, Heyward was selected in the first round by the New Orleans Saints with the 24th overall pick. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, including five with New Orleans (1988-92) and also had stints with Chicago (1993), Atlanta (1994-96), St. Louis (1997) and Indianapolis (1998). His best season as a professional was in 1995 when he was selected for the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,083 yards.