Former Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is the definition of deserving. From starting his collegiate career with the Michigan State Spartans to becoming a starter for the Ducks to evolving into a first-round draft pick, Harmon has earned it all.
While playing throughout college, Harmon used his NIL money for something a little more important than cars or fancy watches or anything else flashy. He used it to pay for his mom's medical care and the life support that was sustaining her.
He repeatedly spoke about how important his family, especially his mom, was to him, and right after he heard his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, the first thing he did was go to the hospital to tell her.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Harmon as the 21st overall pick, making him the first Oregon Duck drafted this year. He went to the hospital and told his mother the incredible news of his NFL dreams coming true.
Devastatingly, Harmon's mother, Tiffany Saine, passed away shortly after he was able to tell her the great news. The good part? She got to live through her son's dreams coming to fruition.
Rest In Peace: Derrick Harmon’s mom, who was on life support, passed away shortly after he went to the hospital and got to tell her the Steelers had drafted him.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 25, 2025
Praying for the entire Harmon family 🙏 pic.twitter.com/aws0H94qyC
Harmon first started supporting his mother when he bought her an ADA accessible van, following a stroke that led to her rapidly worsening condition, which involved numerous brain surgeries throughout her recovery and care process.
SPECIAL PERSON: Derrick Harmon says that he used his NIL Money last year to purchase an accessible van for his mom after she had a stroke
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 25, 2025
🥹
Harmon went to the hospital last night to tell his mother, who is in a coma, that he was drafted to the #Steelers pic.twitter.com/ZuhzVVf8TJ
Following the announcement of Harmon being drafted, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning shared a message on social media, as well as a screenshot of the two of them FaceTiming one another.
"So Proud of you DJ you deserve everything coming your way. Steelers got a great one!" Lanning wrote on X.
During his time at Oregon, Harmon repeatedly cited his mother as his source of inspiration to keep going and keep working for what could come next.
"If I’m tired, I’m injured, whatever it is, why can’t I keep going? If she can get up and she can keep going after brain surgeries," Harmon said.
Derrick Harmon is more than an incredible football player, but he is also an incredible young man, and his mother will undeniably be proud of whatever comes next for one of the newest Pro Ducks.