Newly minted Marine officer makes Steelers’ 53-man roster
By Natalie Oliverio
Sep 1, 2026, 01:25 PM
Eli Heidenreich’s first NFL preseason ended with a touchdown, a salute to the crowd and a place on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ squad.
The seventh-round pick and Pittsburgh native was included in the Steelers’ initial 53-man roster Sunday after he and fellow Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Alex Tecza made Naval Academy football history by appearing together for Pittsburgh in a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
Heidenreich and Tecza are the fourth pair of Naval Academy graduates to appear for the same team in the same NFL game, the second pair of former Navy football teammates to do so and the first pair of Marine Corps officers to accomplish the feat, according to the Naval Academy.
Three days later, Heidenreich had made the 53-man roster. Tecza was among the Steelers’ first wave of roster cuts Friday.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-navy/2026/09/01/newly-minted-marine-officer-makes-steelers-53-man-roster/
