If you've never heard of Brett Kiesel, he's worth the google search. He's a 6 foot 5, 285lb former defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Keisel decided to retire in 2015, but he's still very active in the Pittsburgh community.
It all started in 2010 when Keisel started growing out his "good-luck" beard to help out his teams superstitions. He also encouraged his teammates to do the same. After the playoffs in 2011, Keisel held a fundraiser event called "Shear Da Beard" where he'd have his teammates, friends, and family each cut off a piece of his beard then have a barber clean it up. This fundraiser raised over $40,000 for the Children's hospital cancer program in Pittsburgh. Keisel has held this event every year following 2011 raising millions, and even visits the children at the hospital frequently to help lift their spirits.
On Saturday, February 16th, Keisel held his 9th annual Shear Da Beard at a local Pittsburgh venue, but this year had a little twist. He invited his former teammate Cameron Heyward, a current defensive end for the Steelers, to grow out his beard and participate with him. It meant a lot to Keisel that Heyward grew out his beard, “This year having Cam, who I have just been so proud of, offer to grow his beard and do this weird thing we have going here, it’s something that means a lot not only to me but kids that are fighting cancer and families that have children going through the things they are going through. It gives them hope and that is what this is all about.” (Varley, 2019)
Its amazing that Heyward and Keisel decided to join forces because they both have so much in common. Cam Heyward has started a foundation with his mother and wife called The Heyward House. This foundation is based on helping children in need whether it's taking them winter clothes shopping, or helping kids with illnesses. Recently, The Heyward House started a program called Craigs Closet where they take donated mens dress clothes and help the local high schools in need. Whether its for a job interview, college interview, or an internship, Craigs Closet has you covered.
These are wonderful causes that really help the Pittsburgh community. It's comforting to see that these athletes are using their platform to make a change. Hopefully others will see this as their goal as well.
“Saying Goodbye to the Beards.” Steelers Home, www.steelers.com/news/saying-goodbye-to-the-beards.
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