UPDATE:Heyward baby born on Saturday

[hawaiiansteeler]

Steelers' Heyward might have to choose between game, baby

By Mark Kaboly
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015

Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward might have a decision to make on Sunday and it is a decision that he's hoping he doesn't have to make.

Heyward and his wife, Allie, are expecting their first child on Sunday – the same day the Steelers play the Raiders at Heinz Field.

“Man, I am just trying to get this baby here now,” Heyward said following practice on Wednesday. “I don't think it will come to that (having the baby on Sunday). I have my fingers crossed (that the baby comes) sooner rather than later.”

Heyward, who is a captain on defense, did not say whether or not he will skip the game if his wife goes into labor on Sunday, but hinted toward being there for the birth of his son over playing against the Raiders.

“I haven't even thought about it that way,” Heyward said. “I would love to be there for my son and I want to be there for the first time he comes into the world.”

With Stephon Tuitt still nursing a knee injury, the Steelers are quite thin at defensive end. If Heyward and Tuitt can't play, the Steelers would be down to Steve McLendon, Cam Thomas and rookie L.T. Walton at defensive end.

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...#ixzz3qZ4oycY4

[teegre]

Forget the game.

Being there for the birth of your child is far, far more important.

[hawaiiansteeler]

not having Heyward or Tuitt would make things a lot tougher...

[teegre]

not having Heyward or Tuitt would make things a lot tougher...

Very, very true.

But, hey, I wouldn't blame Heyward one bit.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Forget the game.

Being there for the birth of your child is far, far more important.

No doubt.

[steelreserve]

I hope the baby isn't born during the game; it'll probably get a knee injury and wind up on IR.

Really, though, a baby is more important than a football game. And if we can't win because we're missing one guy out of the 53 available, then you know what, we suck.

[ALLD]

Personally, I would play just because I don't like hospitals. Is it really necessary to be there anyway?

[hawaiiansteeler]

Tomlin has been taking a lot of heat lately for his bad clock management.

but Heyward deserves some criticism also for very poor cock management

[86WARD]

Tomlin has been taking a lot of heat lately for his bad clock management.

but Heyward deserves some criticism also for very poor cock management

Lol. I see what you did there!

[teegre]

Is it really necessary to be there anyway?

If you ever get the chance, absolutely do it.

It's surreal.

[Godfather]

He should be there for the baby. As far as the game is concerned, next man up.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Is it really necessary to be there anyway?

You must not be a parent.

[86WARD]

You must not be a parent.

QFT.

Nothing better.

[smokin3000gt]

Personally, I would play just because I don't like hospitals. Is it really necessary to be there anyway?

Yes. Besides being there for the baby, your wife will need more love, strength, and support than anyone.

[Steeldude]

I don't think I would have kids until I retired from the NFL.

[86WARD]

I don't think I would have kids until I retired from the NFL.

Or plan better...

[SteelerFanInStl]

Or plan better...

Lol, you act like as if having a child is as easy as scheduling a meeting. It doesn't always happen when you want it to.

[86WARD]

Lol, you act like as if having a child is as easy as scheduling a meeting. It doesn't always happen when you want it to.

It kinda is though. You have a window. Shoot. If you miss, patience and then try again...lol.

[TeeTee]

Lol, you act like as if having a child is as easy as scheduling a meeting. It doesn't always happen when you want it to.

True, but unlike in the movies, a birth is usually not completely out of the blue and super sudden; you have some time to react with the water breaking and all that. If she hasn't gone into labor by game time, he could play and if her breaks during the game, he should have time to get to the hospital, etc. Chances are if she hasn't gone into labor by kick off, he will be able to play. Or, maybe she will have the baby before the game. As long as he is there for the birth.

[SteelerFanInStl]

It kinda is though. You have a window. Shoot. If you miss, patience and then try again...lol.

Never stop trying! That was my motto.

[86WARD]

Never stop trying! That was my motto.

Lol. Pound away!!

[tube517]

Congrats to new dad, Cameron Heyward!

[fansince'76]

I don't think I would have kids until I retired from the NFL.

That's the way Lambert did it - he refused to settle down until his playing career was over and that's when he did the wife and family thing.

[j-d-s]

That's the way Lambert did it - he refused to settle down until his playing career was over and that's when he did the wife and family thing.

I think that would depend on what your wife wants and how old she is.

Plus, in the NFL you only have real games for 6 months - if you make it to the Super Bowl. That leaves February till August.

[86WARD]

Congrats to the Heywards.

[fansince'76]

I think that would depend on what your wife wants and how old she is.

Lambert didn't get married until after he retired from football either.

Congrats to the Heywards!

[stillers4me]

What a beautiful picture! Look at the father-son connection already. What a special time for Cam. I'm sure he's thinking of his own father.

We see these players as chess pieces on game day, but sometimes we get reminded that they are human and have the same ups and downs, joys and sadness as the rest of us.

Glad he's going to playing today!

[GutterflowerSteel]

What a beautiful picture! Look at the father-son connection already. What a special time for Cam. I'm sure he's thinking of his own father.

We see these players as chess pieces on game day, but sometimes we get reminded that they are human and have the same ups and downs, joys and sadness as the rest of us.

Glad he's going to playing today!

What a sweet family photo! I love how they're looking at each other. I'm glad that Cam was there for the birth and even happier that the baby chose Saturday to make his first appearance Reminds me of Troy's sons, who were all born before games; good Steelers babies May Callen live a long and prosperous life!

GO, STEELERS

[SteelerFanInStl]

Grats to the Hewards!

[steelerdude15]

Congrats to Cam and his wife on their newborn baby. I hope the baby and mother are doing fine. This is also great news for the Steelers because its another good defensive player who is playing today.