The 2025 NFL draft was both memorable and devastating for Derrick Harmon.
The standout Oregon defensive tackle was chosen in the first round (21st overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night while his mother Tiffany Saine was on life support in a Detroit hospital. He went to the hospital shortly after being drafted to break the draft news to his mom.
On Friday, it was announced Saine died shortly after receiving the news.
Saine sustained a stroke in 2022 and was paralyzed on her left side. Harmon said in a recent television interview that her mom had undergone eight brain surgeries prior to the stroke.
Harmon spoke with reporters Thursday night shortly before leaving for the hospital.
“It was a little bittersweet, man,” Harmon said of receiving the Steelers’ call. “My mom wasn’t with me, 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.”
The Steelers paid tribute to Harmon’s mother on Friday.
“On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, I extend our deepest condolences to Derrick Harmon and his family during this difficult time,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “Though we are excited to select Derrick in the first round of the NFL Draft, our hearts are heavy as we mourn the death of his mother, Tiffany Saine. We will support Derrick and his family however we can as he navigates this period of grief. In times like this, we hope Derrick finds comfort in the love and support from the organization and Steelers fans around the world.
“Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Derrick’s entire family.”
Harmon said during last season’s College Football Playoff that he bought his mother an accessible van with some of his name, image and likeness earnings.
Harmon began his college career close to home at Michigan State and played three seasons for the Spartans before transferring to Oregon prior to last season. He had five sacks and two fumble recoveries for the Ducks last season.
