Former NFL back "Ironhead'' Heyward dies at age 39

[catbob]

Craig Heyward passed away Saturday of a recurring brain tumor. He was only 39. :(

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2461208&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

[dbackjon]

ATLANTA (AP) -- Former NFL fullback Craig "Ironhead" Heyward died Saturday after a 7 1/2 -year fight with a recurring brain tumor, his son's high school football coach said. He was 39.

Heyward spent 11 seasons in the NFL with New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, St. Louis and Indianapolis. The former University of Pittsburgh All-American rushed for a career-high 1,083 yards for the Falcons in 1995.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Al9ulmyLzYWgdZDF8n719AlDubYF?slug=ap-obit-heyward&prov=ap&type=lgns

[blukeys]

I remember Ironhead. He was a football player all could love due to his toughness. Those of us who have been at the 39 and holding stage know all too well that there are many who are better than us who have gone on at a much to early age. Our older friends who have passed on fill us all with sadness but those younger than ourselves remind us that life is not fair and offers us no guarantees of either long life or accomplishment. I hope Ironhead saved enough from his playing days to provide for his family. His loss will leave a big enough hole where they should not have to worry about finances.