Cam Heyward leads Steelers' 2026 countdown to kickoff: Day No. 97

97 days from today, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Atlanta Falcons at home in the Steel City.

In the spirit of the countdown to kickoff, we at Steelers Wire will take a look at the history of the No. 97 jersey and analyze which players wore it best.

Heyward is the current roster on the Steelers roster but we’ll keep this short and sweet the All-Pro defensive lineman makes a not-so-surprising appearance further down in the countdown to kickoff.

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• Cameron Heyward, 2011-present
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• Jason Worilds, 2010

• Arnold Harrison, 2006-2009

• Kendrell Bell, 2001-2004

• Chad Kelsay, 1999

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 4: Thursday Night Football, Oct. 1, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. ET

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Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at New Orleans Saints, 9:30 a.m. ET (Paris)

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Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 10: Sunday Night Football, Nov. 15, at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m. ET

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Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET

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Week 12: Friday, Nov. 27, vs. Denver Broncos, 3:00 p.m. ET (Black Friday Game)

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Week 13: Sunday Night Football, Dec. 6, vs. Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. ET

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Week 14: Monday Night Football, Dec. 14, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m. ET

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Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 16: TBD, vs. Carolina Panthers, TBD

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Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 18: TBD, at Baltimore Ravens, TBD

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There’s no debating this pick: the greatest Steeler to ever wear No. 97 is the future Hall of Famer himself, All-Pro defensive tackle Cameron Heyward.

Heyward, selected by the Steelers with the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, has played in 228 games and made 193 starts in his career, recording 92 sacks, 796 combined tackles, 208 quarterback hits, and 142 tackles for loss.

Heading into Year 16 in 2026, Heyward has accumulated accolade after accolade, earning four First-Team All-Pro and two Second-Team All-Pro honors, seven Pro Bowl selections, and the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Deserving of having his No. 97 retired with the Steelers when it’s all said and done, Heyward is by far the greatest wearer in franchise history.

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