PITTSBURGH – For many, the cross between the Marvel superheroes and the Pittsburgh Steelers is a match made in heaven. And when it happened, it brought a brief moment of bliss, knowing that Defense Captain Cameron Heyward and Robert Downey Jr., aka the Iron Man, became friends.
This is the story of how the two worlds met.
“I actually met Cam at Ryan Shazier’s wedding,” said producer and talent manager Brad Lambert. “We connected and we got along really well because I’m a huge nerd. I love pop culture. I love Marvel. I love DC. So we really got together to just talk about the Marvel movies and those Exchange things. We would always talk about upcoming films and what we thought of them after seeing the trailers and just the usual gossip. “
Lambert’s journey didn’t start with Heyward and an Ironman hand. The Pittsburgh native has been on the team and with the players since 2005, and has highlighted former players like Willie Parker, Lawrence Timmons, Hines Ward and Lynn Swann – and Heyward – as some of the names he helped during his time in Pittsburgh.
“I’m around the guys all the time and I’m grateful that I can build real long-term relationships with these guys. They’re family members on and off the field,” said Lambert. “I try to give these guys as much value as possible and help them both personally and professionally.
“The first guy I was associated with, still in high school, was Willie Parker. I was an entrepreneur at the time. I did a lot of marketing and social media, and at the time social media was easy nice I came in and tried again to add value and help as many players as possible. That helped them build their brands back then and help them not only now but also in the future as they walk away from the game. “
Since then, Lambert has left the Burgh and moved west to start his life in Los Angeles on the opportunity of his partner and close friend Jimmy Rich.
The opportunity was to work with Downey’s team.
“That was just a real organic situation,” said Lambert. “I was connected to Jimmy and we bonded through our love for the Steelers. I wouldn’t be here today without him. He was kind enough to open the door and give me an opportunity and I did the rest and when Opportunity I imagined moving to Los Angeles to work with Downey and his team. I mean, this is a no-brainer. “
Fast forward to 2020. Steelers Nation explodes with excitement when Downey Heyward posts a message on social media and rocks a new friend’s game worn jersey in the locker room.
And when life couldn’t get any better for the Steelers defensive end as he prepared to continue his then-undefeated season, he was given his Ironman hand.
“After seeing Jason Momoa at the game in Cam’s jersey last year, I beat him up and said, ‘Dude, this is sick. You know Jason Momoa, Game of Thrones, Aqua man. This is great.” , Explained Lambert. “Heyward was like, ‘Yeah man, but you know the dream was Robert Downey Jr.’
“I don’t know if he forgot or didn’t know, but I moved from Pittsburgh to LA to work with Downey.”
The connection was established immediately. Heyward sent Lambert the jersey that appeared in Downey’s video. Then the Ironman hand landed in Pittsburgh and was balled by the many in Pittsburgh also known as the son of the late NFL full-back Craig ‘Ironhead’ Heyward – Cam.
“When you meet someone, and that’s why I always try to tell people when I speak, be friendly because you never know what’s going to happen and you could burn a bridge before you even know what’s possible “Lambert said of his relationships with both the Steelers and those in LA. “I’ve been very fortunate over the years and have been very blessed to do what I do and experience the things I have experienced. It all comes from just leading with kindness and being real and real relationships with people build and just offer as much value as you can. “
Established by Lambert, Heyward and Downey’s relationship developed as you can imagine. “You have definitely communicated. Calling, texting, FaceTiming,” said Lambert.
“That’s the whole point, that’s just a little simple gesture. Cam wanted to [the connection] and I could do it with Jimmy. “
The connection brought Heyward and Downey together, but it also brought an extra spark to the Steelers fans who turn The Avengers on in their black and gold t-shirts and enjoy their favorite superheroes. A small moment in the history of the team, but one that left Lambert with an eternal moment.
“I’ve done a lot of really cool things and I’m grateful for them, but combining my passion for Marvel with my passion for Steeler was the ultimate cool thing,” said Lambert. “I’ve already talked about liking the Steelers and my boys on the team and trying to see if we can do more with this great new relationship.”
A story he hopes will enable others to realize their dreams. Lambert continues to build on his success and remembers where he came from. Since traveling to LA nearly six years ago, he has worked with Downey, Warner Bros., television campaigns, and film and television production, along with a list of other achievements.
“I’m 31 years old and I’m out here trying to live my passions and make them a big part of my life. In doing so, I try to influence and help as many people as possible,” said Lambert. “And for me, when I started high school, it was. It was sports. I wanted to work with the Steelers and the players and make this my life, and I did. Then I wanted to take the next one.” Step into my passion that was entertainment. The Downey thing happened and I moved here … I’m super grateful, but it all comes down to just chasing your passions and putting as much emphasis as you can around those passions to make a bigger part of them Of your life. “
Noah Strackbein is a publisher at AllSteelers. Follow Noah on Twitter @NoahStrack and AllSteelers @si_steelers.
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