Heyward went through treatment for alcoholism in 1993. In the process, he rehabilitated his career, topping 1,000 yards for the first time with Atlanta in 1995. He was released by the Rams after the 1997 season and signed with the Colts, his fifth team in seven years. Slowly but surely, you figure things out. One of the reasons the tumor was discovered is he has been so resilient and he has overcome so many different things.
Football has to end one way or another.
This might've actually been easier than being cut because he was overweight or because of his age. We have a lot of friends who can't deal with being out of football because they feel it's not their time.