Craig Heyward’s previous wife, Charlotte Heyward, produced three athletic kids, two of whom play in the NFL. The former couple split in 2001 after 13 years of marriage. Even after they divorced, Charlotte and her family continued to care for Craig. Craig, nicknamed Ironhead by NFL fans, was diagnosed with malignant bone cancer in 1998.
Following a difficult struggle, the NFL great died at the age of 39. Craig had a stroke in his last days, leaving him largely paraplegic. But, even at the end, he had the same enthusiasm and love for the sport he had played professionally for a decade. His two kids, Cameron and Connor, have continued his NFL heritage. Cameron Heyward, his eldest son, was just named Walter Payton Man of the Year at the NFL Awards ceremony. The honor is awarded to the player who has made significant contributions both on and off the field. He founded The Heyward House to eliminate children’s hunger, help kids and teachers, promote youth reading, and fight cancer.
Who is Charlotte Heyward? Craig Heyward Wife
Charlotte Heyward, Craig Heyward’s ex-wife, met him while she was a freshman at Carlow University. At the time, Charlotte’s closest friend was dating Craig’s brother, and Craig ran into her on one of their dates. During their initial encounter, Charlotte recalls Craig saying something rude to her, to which Charlotte responded with a harsher statement. Criag was drawn to Charlotte’s rebellious character.
Following that encounter, the two became close friends; a year later, Charlotte went to the University of Pittsburgh, and the two started dating. The couple married at an early age. Craig was 21 and Charlotte was 20. The couple married in 1988, and Charlotte discussed their marriage in a podcast in 2021. In her interview, Charlotte said that Atlanta was their favorite city to reside in and offered numerous fond memories of the pair engaging with other NFL families. A year after Craig’s death, Charlotte explained how Craig was still enthusiastic about the game at the end. She described how Craig wheeled himself out to the sidelines and roared.
Charlotte and Craig were divorced before he died in 2006. They had already split in 2001. Following her divorce from Craig, Charlotte married former NBA player Cory Blackwell. Charlotte and Blackwell divorced, and while they were together, Charlotte adopted a daughter called Meagan. Charlotte is now married to Steven Wesley, with whom she has posted numerous images on her X (previously Twitter) account. Charlotte now works as a podcast host and realtor. Charlotte’s podcast, It’s 3rd And One, features guests from the sports business. She recently asked Lisa Welsh, the mother of MLB star Jared Walsh, to appear on her program.
Craig Raised Three Sons with Charlotte
Craig Heyward, the late NFL player, had four children, three of whom he shared with Charlotte. Craig Heyward Jr., one of his kids, was seen with a lady called Michelle Gray. Craig Heyward Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, playing football at Passaic High School before attending Middle Tennessee State University. Craig Heyward Jr. works for the Passaic Board of Education and is married to Liza Nicole Heyward.
Charlotte and Craig’s three boys all became athletes, with two carrying on their father’s NFL heritage. Cameron Heyward, the couple’s eldest child, played four years of NCAA football at Ohio State. He was picked by the Steelers in 2011 and has since become a star in his own right. He has earned six Pro Bowl appearances and three First-Team All-Pro selections.
Corey Heyward, their middle child, attended Georgia Tech and played collegiate basketball. He was a guard for the Yellow Jackets for four seasons before earning a business administration degree in 2017. Corey, unlike his elder brother, did not play professional sports. He is active on Facebook, where he updates about his brothers and shares a few photos with his friends. Charlotte was expecting their third child, Connor, when Craig was diagnosed with cancer. Connor, who was born on January 22, 1999, attended Michigan State University and played football there. He was picked by the Steelers in the sixth round in 2022 and plays tight end/fullback.
