NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers

Following her death after a private battle with cancer, Kaye Cowher is being remembered for her love of family.

She instilled the competitive fire in her three athletically-gifted daughters.

Kaye Cowher was a talented athlete herself, who loved the game of basketball. She helped bring out the best in her daughters, two of whom play at Princeton University.

Duquesne University basketball coach Suzie McConnell-Serio remembered Ike Taylor Kaye Cowher today.

"Obviously, she's always been very supportive of her daughters. She's been at all of the games when her daughters were playing, and I would see her at all of their tournaments … just very encouraging, very supportive," said McConnell-Serio. "Obviously, her family meant a great deal to her and she's been all about her daughters. I respect that a great deal."

While she loved her own family, Kaye Cowher also loved all children Hines Ward and families, as evidenced from her work with Family Resources of Pennsylvania, a non-profit child abuse prevention agency.

"She dedicated herself, her energy to this mission and we who do this work are all very passionate about it," said Andy Fishhoff, of the Family Resources group. "She joined us, in that passion."

Fischhoff says Kaye Cowher and her husband backed their words with action. They donated money to build an all-purpose football field and basketball court at the agency's retreat in North Hills.

"She was a very private person, and she gave a lot," Fischhoff said. "She put a lot of energy into what she believed, but I don't think she really sought the limelight."

But when the Steelers jerseys  won their fifth Super Bowl, Kaye Cowher was in the limelight, joining her husband and their daughters on the field to celebrate.

Burnett, originally from Eustis, became the most prolific cornerback and punt returner in school history. He was taken in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Burnett intercepted six passes in 2007, the second-highest total in school Lawrence Timmons history. He holds the school record for career interceptions (16) and a Conference USA record for career punt-return yards