Former Pitt, NFL FB Craig "Ironhead" Heyward dies of brain tumor at 39

[Bossy Monkey]

Updated: May 28, 2006, 2:32 AM ET
'Ironhead' Heyward loses battle with recurring tumor
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

ATLANTA -- Former NFL fullback Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, who played 11 seasons in the league with five different franchises, died here Saturday after a seven-year battle with a recurring brain tumor.

Heyward, who retired from the league following the 1998 season, was 39.

Given the severity and aggressiveness of Heyward's tumor, known as a chordoma, and the inability of surgeons to completely remove it during two operations, his death was not unexpected. Heyward also suffered a stroke a few years ago that left him partially paralyzed.

But friends who had visited recently with Heyward, including one-time NFL quarterback Bobby Hebert, a former teammate in both New Orleans and Atlanta, certainly did not expect his death to come so quickly.

(more)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2460799

Pisser. RIP.