Steelers pick Navy RB Eli Heidenreich, fans at Pittsburgh NFL Draft go totally bonkers
Perhaps the most notable moment of the 2026 NFL Draft occurred in the final round, when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected running back Eli Heidenreich and the pick was announced to the home crowd gathered at the event.
The excitement, palpable from the moment Heidenreich appeared on camera, was not because he was an accomplished college running back. It’s also not because his athletic abilities have scouts comparing him to San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey — but bigger and stronger.
The crowd went crazy because Heidenreich was playing for the United States Naval Academy.
And after waiting three days behind the scenes in the NFL green room, Heidenreich appeared in his Full Dress Blue uniform worn by Midshipmen at formal functions.
NFL rookies cried after surprise videos, signed jerseys from Tom Brady and other football legends.
Heidenreich put on a Steelers cap and saluted. Shortly after, he hugged NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and took official photos wearing a Steelers helmet.
Omar Khan, director of football and business operations for the Pittsburgh Steelers, watches from the sideline before a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 24, 2013. The Chiefs defeated the Steelers 26-20. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
The crowd went crazy.
“That excitement with Eli,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said, “I mean, I didn’t expect to see that on TV and you can’t help but get emotional when you saw that at the end. But really, really, really great…”
The NFL, being the PR steamroller that it is, decided to take advantage of the moment for all it was worth. League officials gave Heidenreich the opportunity to walk through the crowd and wow the adoring fans.
Then they brought Heidenreich onto the ESPN set for an interview.
That’s right: The 230th overall pick — an otherwise common choice in the final round — was treated like royalty, perhaps because fans understood that the United States, its Navy and other military forces conduct operations in the Middle East.
Oh, yeah, did we mention that Heidenreich is from Pittsburgh?
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This script continues to be upgraded with each rewrite.
Heidenreich is expected to graduate from the Naval Academy in May. Had the NFL not presented itself as a possibility, he planned to begin his five-year commitment as an officer in the Marine Corps.
But Heidenreich knew that commitment would wait when, earlier in the seventh round, he received calls from teams wanting to sign him as an undrafted free agent.
“I actually committed to a team,” Heidenreich said.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer before the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Émilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Then the Steelers called him to tell him they planned to select him.
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He will therefore initiate a 10-year service contract with the Marine Corps which will allow him to defer his service while he pursues his professional football career.
“I’m grateful they gave me this opportunity,” Heidenreich said. “I initially committed to them for five years of service after that, but they are giving me the opportunity to pursue this football career first and return my services later. So I am grateful for that.
“But to be able to represent them – the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, I mean, just the military as a whole – it’s an honor and something I don’t take lightly.”
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Navy running back Eli Heidenreich runs past Army safety Max DiDomenico for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Landover, Md., Dec. 14, 2024. (Daniel Kucin Jr./AP)
Heidenreich comes from great stock. His grandfather, Chris Heidenreich, was a naval officer, and his uncle, Chip Heidenreich, served as a member of the Marine Corps.
And now, Eli Heidenreich, among the best this latest American generation has to offer, continues the family tradition.
But only after giving professional football a chance.
“I’m grateful,” Heidenreich said, “for the opportunity to be able to go out and do this in the NFL.”
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