Steelers pick Derrick Harmon shares devastating news about mom on draft night

Daniel Chavkin

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Steelers pick Derrick Harmon shares devastating news about mom on draft night image

Derrick Harmon saw his dream come true on Thursday night when the Steelers drafted him No. 21 overall. However, it was also one of the hardest nights of his life.

Harmon's mother, Tiffany Saine, has been in the hospital, meaning she wasn't with her son when Harmon got drafted during the first round. Harmon attended Michigan State in the first three years of his college career, close to his home in Detroit, but he transferred to Oregon in 2024, which helped him become a first-round pick.

Harmon credits his mother for a lot of his football career, as she has dealt with health issues throughout her life, which makes Thursday night even more difficult.

Derrick Harmon's mother passes away

Tiffany Saine, passed away on Thursday night moments after Harmon was able to tell her that he was drafted. Saine was on life support, and Harmon left his press conference early to let her know that he was drafted by Pittsburgh.

"She's at the hospital right now on life support, so after I get off the phone with you guys, I'm going to head straight to the hospital and tell her that her son got drafted," Harmon said after round one.

Saine has been ill for a while, to the point where Harmon had to cancel pre-draft meetings to make sure he didn't leave her side. 

NFL Draft moment 'bittersweet'

Getting drafted by the Steelers should have been the best moment of Harmon's life, but it is instead clouded by one of the most devastating moments. Harmon explained what was going through his mind on Thursday night.

"She's at the hospital right now on life support, so that was a little bittersweet because she worked just as hard as me to get to this moment," Harmon said.

What happened to Tiffany Saine?

Harmon's mother, Tiffany Saine, had around eight brain surgeries in her life. Then, while Harmon was attending Michigan State, Saine suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed in her left side.

Even though Harmon transferred to Oregon, he still made sure to help his mother by getting her an accessible van with his NIL money. Saine spent the past few weeks in the hospital, and Harmon decided to cancel pre-draft meetings so he wouldn't leave her.

Harmon says his mother is a big reason why he's become such a good football player.

"If I'm tired, I'm injured, whatever it is, why can't I keep going? If she can get up and she can keep going after brain surgeries," Harmon said.

On Thursday night, Harmon was able to tell his mother that he was drafted before she passed away.

Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.