Connor Heyward was part of the Michigan State team which won the 2021 Peach Bowl, but he is related to current NFL star Cam Heyward?
The college football star has had a tricky career to date.
He lost his starting running back slot in 2019, and put his name up for a transfer away from MSU.
However, a switch to tight end improved his fortunes, and gave him back regular appearances on the pitch.
Heyward made the position his own, and helped guide MSU to the Peach Bowl final, against Pittsburgh.
MSU ran out 31-21 winners against the Panthers in the game on 30th December.
Heyward is set to be drafted to the NFL in 2022, but is he related to current NFL star Cameron Heyward?
And which legendary NFL star is Connor Heyward’s dad?
- TRENDING: How many players will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2022?
Are Connor Heyward and Cam Heyward related?
Cameron Heyward, known as Cam, was drafted to the NFL in 2011 for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He has played his entire career as a defensive tackle for the Steelers, making the All-Pro First-Team twice, in 2017 and 2019.
Cam Heyward is related to Connor Heyward, with Cam being the elder brother of MSU star Connor.
Cam Heyward was born in May 1989, with Connor arriving in January, 1999.
Another brother, Craig also played football, but did not join the NFL.
A running back, Craig eventually retired from football and became a coach, in his native New Jersey.
A fourth brother, Corey, opted against football as a career, pursuing one on the court in basketball instead, playing for Georgia Tech.
Who is his father?
Connor, and Cam Heyward’s father is the late Craig Heyward Sr.
Craig was one-time Pro Bowl fullback for the likes of the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts in the 1980s and 1990s.
A first-round pick in 1988, he was forced to retire in 1998 after he was diagnosed with malignant bone cancer.
A operation successfully removed the cancer, but it returned eight years later.
Heyward died in May 2006 after it spread to his brain. He was only 39 years old.
During his career, Heyward carried with him his childhood nickname of ‘Ironhead.’
Cameron told the story of when Craig was a child, a pool cue had been broken over his head, without him flinching.
His grandmother gave him the moniker ‘Ironhead’ which stuck.
- REVEALED: Why did the late John Madden quit coaching in the NFL?
In other news, How to get Katy Perry Las Vegas residency tickets and prices explored