Steelers' Cam Heyward to honor father in other ways 'on, off field'

The NFL has come to an agreement with Pittsburgh Steelers defensive endCam Heywardover his fines for wearing eye black honoring his late father, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, reducing his fine with the stipulation he represent his father in other ways, a source said Tuesday night.

Heyward had a conference call with the league over the original fine of $5,787 for wearing the eye black during last week's Monday Night Football game against theSan Diego Chargers.

He again wore the eye black Sunday against theArizona Cardinals, which would have been a $11,576 fine for a second offense.

Those totals are now significantly less, the source said.

Heyward displayed "IRON" and "HEAD" underneath his eyes, effectively violating the league's uniform policy. Ironhead Heyward played fullback in the NFL and battled cancer before his death in 2006.

Heyward took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to address the matter, writing that he had a "respectful exchange" with the league.

"I consider myself a team player and someone who puts others before myself, and I don't want to be a distraction to my teammates or the Steelers organization," Heyward wrote. "With that, I will not be writing on my eye black going forward anymore. I will be honoring my father in other ways on and off the field."

Heyward started a charitable partnership with EyeBlack.com. Buying pre-designed "Iron Head" EyeBlack earmarks money for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation, with which his father was associated during his cancer fight.

Heyward's camp pointed out to the league via conference call that Devon Still was not fined last year for wearing "Leah" and Strong" under his eyes during games, an honor to his daughter, Leah Still, in her fight with pediatric cancer.