Craig "Ironhead" Heyward Dead At Age 39

[Terps]

Just saw it on ESPNews.

[Grammaticus]

Wow, that is a bummer. Was it drug use?

[Groundhog]

Probably had something to do with that cancer trouble he had.

[duckman]

RIP Ironhead. :(

[Grammaticus]

Wow, this was already on Wikipedia

"Heyward passed away on May 27, 2006."

[Terps]

I think it said from a brain tumor on the bottom of the screen.

[JeeberD]

:(

[Swaggs]

RIP Ironhead.

His son, Cameron, is a high school senior and a sought after recruit this season.

[Neuqua]

Too sad.

:(

[Terps]

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

[General Mike]

Ironhead was one of my favorite players as a kid. Maybe just because of the nickname, but a sad day.

[Eaglesfan27]

Always so sad when someone dies so young. :(

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Rest in peace, Ironhead...

I will think of you tomorrow, when I use my "thingy."

[Ironhead]

:(

[ISiddiqui]

:(

[WVUFAN]

I will think of you tomorrow, when I use my "thingy."

Wow. Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but that's a really classless thing to say.

[Schmidty]

He was one of my favorite players in the early 90's. He was so tough. I remember him being a little like Alstott.

I hate cancer so fucking much.

[Shkspr]

Wow. Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but that's a really classless thing to say.

If you're not reading it wrong, your idea of "classless" may need adjusting. Ironhead was as beloved for his thingy as for his skills on the football field.

[Shkspr]

He was, in addition to being a football player, an actor. In commercials. That were on fucking TELEVISION. And in particular, the commercial for Zest that he starred in was a great moment in commercial history. It helped define his place in pop culture and is EXACTLY the sort of thing that will be noted in his obituary. IT WILL BE SOMETHING HE'S REMEMBERED FOR. And that's not a bad thing.

That's all M GO BLUE's post referred to. And if you can't understand that, you need to cool off, Schmidty. Log off. Now. Go live your life, because you aren't doing anyone a god damn favor here.

[WVUFAN]

If you're not reading it wrong, your idea of "classless" may need adjusting. Ironhead was as beloved for his thingy as for his skills on the football field.

There's a certain amount of reverance that should be given to anyone who has died. To come on a public forum, basically making fun of someone who died, especially someone who died of cancer (all four of my grandparents died of cancer, so I'm fairly sensitive on the subject) has no class.

So, Shkspr, you're wrong. Schmidty is justified is his anger, and I agree with him totally.

[st.cronin]

There's a certain amount of reverance that should be given to anyone who has died.

I don't think that's true. When OJ Simpson dies, I don't plan to show any reverence.

To come on a public forum, basically making fun of someone who died, especially someone who died of cancer (all four of my grandparents died of cancer, so I'm fairly sensitive on the subject) has no class.

I didn't think the post in question was mocking at all. It was perhaps tactless, but I don't see any malice behind it.

So, to sum up guys - chill out. We all don't express sadness/grief in the same way.

[Desnudo]

That Zest commercial had me in tears. For some reason I always thought it was Bettis.

[WVUFAN]

He was, in addition to being a football player, an actor. In commercials. That were on fucking TELEVISION. And in particular, the commercial for Zest that he starred in was a great moment in commercial history. It helped define his place in pop culture and is EXACTLY the sort of thing that will be noted in his obituary. IT WILL BE SOMETHING HE'S REMEMBERED FOR. And that's not a bad thing.

First off, that's not what he's gonna be remembered for. A commercial? Bullshit. Even still, it was a low, classless, IDIOTIC thing to say, and for you to come on and defend it because it's "pop culture" is equally moronic.

How about him being remember for his football skills? Or his family?

Also, I doubt VERY MUCH if his obituary will make a big deal, if it's mentioned at all, about a Zest commercial.


That's all M GO BLUE's post referred to. And if you can't understand that, you need to cool off, Schmidty. Log off. Now. Go live your life, because you aren't doing anyone a god damn favor here.

[Desnudo]

I don't think that's true. When OJ Simpson dies, I don't plan to show any reverence.



I didn't think the post in question was mocking at all. It was perhaps tactless, but I don't see any malice behind it.

So, to sum up guys - chill out. We all don't express sadness/grief in the same way.

That is way to logical. Did Tom Brady put you up to it?

[Desnudo]

Also, while I respect what's happened to you and your families, Schmidty and WVUfan, have you noticed that you've completely deflected the attention from the death of Ironhead to yourselves?

[WVUFAN]

Also, while I respect what's happened to you and your families, Schmidty and WVUfan, have you noticed that you've completely deflected the attention from the death of Ironhead to yourselves?

You're right. I apologize for that. Consider me backed off.

[Shkspr]

You want to know who ELSE cancer is im[portant to? Me. My god damn fucking best man at my wedding was the chairman of the American Cancer Society. He died a year and a half ago. Of cancer.

The difference is some people choose to celebrate the life of someone who passes on, just as lots of people will remember Ironhead as much for his acting as for his play on the field. People ENJOYED his commercial. It made him a celebrity. Ironhead's "thingy" commercial is going to be a part of his legacy, whether you like it or not, and referencing that in our rememberances to him are just as valid as saying, "Damn, that boy could run".

[Schmidty]

Also, while I respect what's happened to you and your families, Schmidty and WVUfan, have you noticed that you've completely deflected the attention from the death of Ironhead to yourselves?

Nope.

Maybe the wound is too fresh or what have you, but I believe in a thing called timing, and I don't think that that concept has been shown here.

I will, however, delete my posts, so you guys can go back to talking about head and shoulders commercials in a death thread of a guy who died of brain cancer.

[Schmidty]

You want to know who ELSE cancer is im[portant to? Me. My god damn fucking best man at my wedding was the chairman of the American Cancer Society. He died a year and a half ago. Of cancer.

The difference is some people choose to celebrate the life of someone who passes on, just as lots of people will remember Ironhead as much for his acting as for his play on the field. People ENJOYED his commercial. It made him a celebrity. Ironhead's "thingy" commercial is going to be a part of his legacy, whether you like it or not, and referencing that in our rememberances to him are just as valid as saying, "Damn, that boy could run".

I have so much to say about this, but all I'll say, is that I am sorry for your loss, and that I am still dealing with the death of my grandpa, so forgive me if I don't share your sentiments.

[ISiddiqui]

Jesus Christ... stop getting offended at everything people! Some people are going to look back at the commerical he did after hearing this and how it made them smile. There is nothing wrong with that and if you think there is, then frankly, you are fucking stupid.

Now can we express our grief or something?

[Huckleberry]

RIP Ironhead.

You guys should have contest for most people you know who died of cancer. Those of you on this thread that brought that up should be ashamed of yourselves. Using the loss of loved ones to justify bad behavior. Shameful.

[WVUFAN]

Now, doggone it, I said I'm backing off, but if people are gonna come and and berate me and my opinions, I'm gonna defend myself.

I don't agree with what M BLUE said, nor the way he said it, but I'm letting it go.

I'm backing off, might I suggest everyone else does as well?

[sovereignstar]

Schmidty, I have this friend who is in real estate. Maybe she can hook you up with something under a rock.

[st.cronin]

Now, doggone it, I said I'm backing off, but if people are gonna come and and berate me and my opinions, I'm gonna defend myself.

I don't agree with what M BLUE said, nor the way he said it, but I'm letting it go.

I'm backing off, might I suggest everyone else does as well?

Yes, I think the moment is over. This thread is about Heyward; if what you have to say is not about Heyward (or Tom Brady), I suggest it might be best left to pm.

[Schmidty]

Schmidty, I have this friend who is in real estate. Maybe she can hook you up with something under a rock.

You can say what you want about me. I said my piece and I don't want to argue anymore in this thread. If you want to troll for a big, angry response, go for it, but you won't get it.

As I mentioned to someone via PM, I'm sure that if it wasn't so fresh, I wouldn't have brought anything specific up. But I did and there's nothing that I can do about it now. I realize that just about everyone has stories like this in their families, and I really feel bad about mentioning mine as if it's more important than others. I realize that it's not, but to me, it's feels.....monumental, because it's mine. My strong emotions made me act like a child, and that sucks.

I regret turning this into an argument thread, but I felt angry when I read what I felt was uncalled for. I overreacted, and I apologize.

I'm sure I'll feel embarrassed tomorrow, but it is what it is. I'm an emotional guy. I'm going to just grit my teeth and try to bear the angry responses and insults that are bound to come my way now. I asked for them.

Here's what I should have done in the first place:

R.I.P. - Ironhead.

[sovereignstar]

Anyways, I thought the strangest response was post #2. What a knee-jerk reaction. Here's an excerpt about Heyward. Sorry if ya'll don't think it belongs here:

Craig Heyward was an NFL running back from 1988-1998, primarily with the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. But, Heyward is much more well-known for a Zest commercial.

Zest, you see, was trying to get men to buy liquid shower soap instead of bar soap. The problem with that is that to apply the bottled soap, you need to use a pouf -- a frilly soft applicator which helps build a lather. To American men, this is wussy. And so they stick with bar soap.

Enter Craig "Ironhead" Heyward as the pitchman in 1998. Heyward was a large man, even for American football players -- 5-foot-11 and 250 pounds, give or take. He had a cool nickname. He was somewhat well-known among football fans, having just retired after a 10-year career, but he wasn't a huge star, so the appearance fee wouldn't be high. Heyward was also African-American and could play the Mr. T scare-the-white-people act well. That's what Zest had him do.

The ad was hilarious. I haven't seen it in a while, but I'll paraphrase the most memorable scene:

Ironhead in the shower, shown naked from the waist up, holding the pouf:

(Heyward speaking in a whiny falsetto): But Ironhead, what's with this thingy?

(Heyward speaking in a tough-guy voice): It's Zest with a lather thingy, chump! Get Zestfully clean!

— Thanks to robwicks for help with Ironhead's lines.

The advertisment also called him an "NFL star," I think, which is a bit of a stretch. Heyward was a starter for much of his career, but he only rushed for 1,000 yards once (in 1995 with the Falcons). He was a large man and difficult to tackle, but in the NFL, you need to be big and fast. Ironhead wasn't fast.

In 1998, Heyward was hospitalized to remove a benign tumor from his brain. As far as I know, he's doing well.

http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1185289

[Grammaticus]

Anyways, I thought the strangest response was post #2. What a knee-jerk reaction.

I don't know why you would think it is so strange. The original post did not indicate how Heyward died and 39 is far too young to die of natural causes, which in most cases is some sort of heart failure. Not knowing that he suffered from cancer in the past, some sort of drug use would be a fairly logical first guess. Knee-jerk? Probably so, but also a pretty good gage of where pro sports is today.

I'm happy to hear he was not a casualty of drug abuse. But sad to hear that he died of a re-occuring brain tumor. 39 is far too young of an age to end in this world. I also don't remember the zest commercial.

What I remember most is a power runner, in my memory usually in a Saints uniform. Short yardage, pound it in with Ironhead. What a great nickname! I also hope his son does well and gets a chance to play in the NFL. Personally I like legacy players.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

For the record. Every time I see one of those little shower scrubby things, I call it a "thingy." Ironhead was one of my favorite players. I always wanted him to be a Lion. He would have made one hell of a complimentary back to Barry. I loved to use him on Tecmo Super Bowl... He would just plow through guys! But for all his accomplishments on the field, that commercial was just the best! The Zest people could not have cast a better actor for it! (Name one memorable soap commercial since...) So what may be classless to one, may be a tribute to another. Was it classless for Dunkin Donuts to put together a commercial in memorandum to the "Time to make the Donuts" guy? I didn't find it so.

Oh, and not that cancer doesn't suck (like everyone else, several people in my family...) but I never read anything that said that Ironhead had cancer. One bitch of a brain tumor, but not cancer. It's a technicality... Same sad result.

And yes. I'm still gonna think of Ironhead when I use my "thingy."

[stevew]

Ah, those commercials were pretty funny, now that I remember them

RIP, hopefully he's using his thingy in a better place now.

[Dutch]

I got to see him play in 1990 in the Super Dome. I went to go see the Bucs/Saints game and the Saints won 41-7 or some outrageous score.

Steve Debert scored the only Bucs TD when he raced to the sideline and leaped over the defensive back who cut his legs out from under him and he cart-wheeled through the air and laned on his head! Haha.

Ironhead rushed for nearly 200 yards in that game if I'm not mistaken...

Oh well, anyway...RIP. Sorry to see him go like that.

[Vince]

RIP Ironhead. :(

[Karlifornia]

RIP Ironhead....

Fantastic nickname, funny commercial, sad ending..

If my life can be reduced to three sentence fragments, I hope it's at least two of those three.....The first two, to be specific. Oh, replace "nickname" with "lovemaking skillz". Also, replace "commericial" with "long-running television program".

R.I.P. Craig "Ironhead" Heyward. You were definitely a link to my childhood.

[Ramzavail]

hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDcIwBzWhJQ&search=zest%20commercial

Zest parody commercial.

I was a huge fan of Ironhead and this commercial. I think some people missed the "thingy" reference and then it snowballed into something worse. You'd think all football fans would remember that commercial, guess not.

[JPhillips]

Nobody could shed Tecmo tacklers like Ironhead.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDcIwBzWhJQ&search=zest%20commercial

Zest parody commercial.


Wow, that was bad. All that was missing was shoe polish on his face... And I am called disrespectful...


(Not aimed at you Ramz... Unless that's you making fun of Ironhead with a stereotypical "Rochester" speech patern.")

[cthomer5000]

Very sad news. One of the most unique and entertaining to watch players in (my) NFL viewing history.

[Joe]

Very sad news. One of the most unique and entertaining to watch players in (my) NFL viewing history.

agree. He ranks right up there with The Nigerian Nightmare for me.

[Desnudo]

I don't know why you would think it is so strange. The original post did not indicate how Heyward died and 39 is far too young to die of natural causes, which in most cases is some sort of heart failure. Not knowing that he suffered from cancer in the past, some sort of drug use would be a fairly logical first guess. Knee-jerk? Probably so, but also a pretty good gage of where pro sports is today.

I'm happy to hear he was not a casualty of drug abuse. But sad to hear that he died of a re-occuring brain tumor. 39 is far too young of an age to end in this world. I also don't remember the zest commercial.

What I remember most is a power runner, in my memory usually in a Saints uniform. Short yardage, pound it in with Ironhead. What a great nickname! I also hope his son does well and gets a chance to play in the NFL. Personally I like legacy players.

My initial thought was it was a steroids/heart attack scenario.

[Darkiller]

RIP Ironhead...

[Grammaticus]

agree. He ranks right up there with The Nigerian Nightmare for me.
He always made me think about Andra Franklin and big Pete Johnson.

[Tigercat]

First Sam Mills and now Iron Head... Two of my favorite Saints players growing up. :(

Despite that, I always thought the most classic Ironhead was him getting 1k yards rushing in Atlanta's run and shoot offense. That was just crazy to see that kind of offense run a human bowling ball at you to keep you honest.

[cuervo72]

Very sad, and scary that something like that could happen to anyone. 39 is way too young.

RIP Ironhead.

(and yes, the recollection of the commercial did make me smile)

[BYU 14]

Always tragic to see anyone go so young, RIP Ironhead.

[OldGiants]

I remember Ironhead as the first huge HS football star (Passaic) in the state of New Jersey who really WANTED to go to Rutgers. His #1 choice, far and away. All of us alumni were thrilled.

Then RU hired a guy named Dick Anderson from Penn St as the new coach. He never recruited Ironhead, in fact he said Ironhead was 'not the type of kid' he wanted for his new program. Ironhead had been in a lot of trouble in HS, so everyone knew what that meant. His second choice was Penn St, but Paterno did not want 'that type of kid' (which is where Anderson got the idea of course) and so Heyward ended up at Pitt.

And Dick Anderson ended up on the scrap heap of time.