Cam Heyward kicks off 2nd annual 'Cam's Kindness Week' at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Pittsburgh Steelers captain Cam Heyward is on injured reserve, but he's still making people smile.
Heyward kicked off his second annual Cam's Kindness Week at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where he spent time with kids and played games with them.
"The fact that I was in Children's Hospital as a kid, I know how rough that can be, not being able to have your family members but getting to interact with them, share their stories, hear their hobbies," said Cam Heyward.
Children also received signed No. 97 plushies, and Heyward was recorded reading a book in the dream big studio. The video will be played on patients' TVs next month.
"I read a book earlier. I don't think I did a good job, but I had a blast doing it," he said.
His brother and teammate Connor Heyward was there, making the day even more fun.
Another well-known face showed up. Actor and Pittsburgh native Joe Manganiello. He's on UPMC Children's board of trustees. He was in town to film some promotions and discuss future fundraising for the hospital.
"I think it's great; I encourage everybody from Pittsburgh, every athlete from Pittsburgh, to come back here and spend time here at Children's Hospital. Whenever I'm in town, I always make sure I set aside a day to come see the kids, talk to the directors, the presidents, [and] talk about what needs to get done," Manganiello said.
Through the Cam Heyward Foundation, the veteran defensive tackle is tackling a list of kind acts each day this week.
Heyward will talk with Woodland Hills High School students about what it means to be resilient.
He also has a surprise for the Westinghouse football team.
He'll also open a new Craig's Closet at Brashear High School, which he started through his foundation in honor of his father, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward.
"It's the next step before adulthood, and most of these kids are going to go off and don't always have the tools necessary to succeed whether it's Craig's Closet, where we can provide suits or just informing them, being an extra resource of them," Cam Heyward said.
Heyward will give pregame sideline passes and tickets to two Brashear students for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The list doesn't stop there. Heyward will meet with interns at Cafe Momentum to discuss breaking the cycle of incarceration.
He'll also talk with kids at the Highmark Caring Place to talk with kids about his own grief journey following the loss of his father.
All year long, Cam teaches the game of kindness in the city he loves.
"Cam's Kindness is my week, but you can have your own week of kindness, and you can find your own ways to give back, and you don't need a big platform to do it. There are plenty of ways to do it," Heyward said.
To learn more about the Cam Heyward Foundation, click here.
