- Former Michigan State and Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon’s mother, Tiffany Saine, passed away hours after Harmon was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Saine was on life support in a Detroit hospital when Harmon was selected 21st overall.
- Harmon returned to Detroit to share the news with his mother before she died.
The mother of former Michigan State and Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon died Thursday, April 24, hours after Harmon was drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to The Oregonian.
Tiffany Saine, Harmon’s mom, was on life support in a Detroit hospital on Day 1 of the draft when Harmon’s name was called. Harmon told reporters that the pick was “a little bittersweet” because of his mom’s condition and he reportedly flew back to Detroit to tell her he had been picked. She died a few hours later.
Harmon was born in Detroit and played high school football at Detroit Loyola, where he was a two-time All-State first team selection and a three-star recruit.
According to The Oregonian, Saine worked as a hotel manager in Detroit while raising Harmon.
Harmon played at Michigan State from 2021-23 before transferring to Oregon for the 2024 season. Before Oregon’s Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State on Jan. 1, Harmon said the best purchase he made with his NIL money was a wheelchair-accessible van for Saine.
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Saine underwent several brain surgeries before suffering from a stroke in 2022 while Harmon was a freshman at Michigan State. The stroke left her paralyzed on her left side.
Harmon said he had never left Michigan before transferring to Oregon for his final college season.
The Steelers selected Harmon with the 21st overall pick in the NFL draft.
