Steelers' Cameron Heyward: 'Heinz Field wasn't made by a name'

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cameron Heyward had plenty to say during his new "Not Just Football" podcast. 

Heyward hinted that free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky is the favorite to be the team's starting quarterback over backup Mason Rudolph and first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett, and the 33-year-old even shared a funny nickname for Pickett related to the signal-caller's hands. 

The big man who has been associated with the Steelers since the 2011 draft also touched upon what many fans deem to be a serious topic. 

Heinz Field, home of the Steelers, officially rebranded and became Acrisure Stadium earlier this week after Acrisure, an insurance brokerage firm out of Michigan, purchased the venue's naming rights. Some supporters are so outraged the Pittsburgh-based ketchup company no longer has its name attached to the stadium that they've taken to signing a petition that ultimately will do nothing. 

Per Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Heyward explained why he's not too bothered about the matter. 

"I don’t really put too much stock into that," Heyward remarked during the podcast. "Because as much as I’ve loved calling it 'Heinz Field,' Heinz Field wasn’t made by a name. It was made because of the memories. It was made because you got to watch Ben (Roethlisberger) to AB (Antonio Brown). The Immaculate Extension. It was made watching great plays like that. … The memories and plays are what made Heinz Field. Not the actual Heinz Field."

Heyward added: 

"It’s not like we’re playing somewhere different. It’s still where you guys always go to watch a game. We’re going to still be thumping. You’re still going to hear 'Renegade.' You’re still going to get out of your seats and get excited in December, in January. Those things aren’t changing. It’s a name, guys."

Acrisure and the Steelers put pen to paper on a 15-year deal, so fans had better do all they can to embrace the stadium's name, for better or for worse.