Naval Academy Graduates Make History During NFL Preseason

Marine Corps 2nd Lts. Eli Heidenreich and Alex Tecza made U.S. Naval Academy football history when they appeared for the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 28-27 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, Aug. 27.

They are the fourth pair of Naval Academy graduates to appear for the same team in the same NFL game. They are the second pair of former Navy football teammates - and the first pair of Marine Corps officers - to accomplish the feat.

"Alex and Eli embodied the ultimate fusion of elite athleticism and uncompromising Marine Corps grit as they took the field [Aug. 27], carrying with them far more than a playbook," said Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Mike Borgschulte, Naval Academy superintendent. "They represented the relentless drive, selfless team-first mentality and warrior ethos that define our Navy and Marine Corps."

The first pair of Naval Academy graduates - and the first former Navy teammates to appear for the same team in the same NFL game - were Tyree Barnes and Eric Kettani, both class of 2009, who played for the New England Patriots during the 2011 preseason.

Two other pairs of Naval Academy graduates have appeared together in an NFL preseason game. Kettani and Joe Cardona, class of 2015, played for the Patriots in 2015, then Cardona and Diego Fagot, class of 2022, played for the Patriots in 2023.

During the final preseason game, Heidenreich carried the ball nine times for 35 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown run, and returned two kickoffs for 47 yards. He was included on the Steelers' initial 53-man roster yesterday. Tecza saw action on special teams, but he was waived during final cuts.

"What an incredible night for Eli and Alex, for Navy football, the Naval Academy and the United States Marine Corps," said Brian Newberry, Naval Academy head football coach. "Those two young men represent everything our program and the Naval Academy are about. They are tough, selfless competitors who earned this opportunity through a tremendous amount of hard work. To see them make history together as Navy football teammates and Marine Corps officers is something our entire program takes great pride in."

Heidenreich and Tecza are two of five Naval Academy graduates who played on NFL rosters this preseason, four of whom are Marines. 2nd Lt. Landon Robinson, class of 2026, is with the Cincinnati Bengals, 2nd Lt. Rayuan Lane, class of 2025, is with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cardona, who recently concluded his service with the Navy as a lieutenant commander, is with the Los Angeles Rams.

Multiple Navy and Marine Corps officers have played in the NFL and returned to active duty to honor their service commitment. Those officers include Marine Corps 1st Lt. Malcom Perry, who transitioned back to the active duty in 2022. He is currently serving as an unmanned aerial systems officer stationed in Yuma, Arizona, where he leads Marines and integrates cutting-edge technology to ensure the Corps is prepared for the complexities of the modern battlefield.

Navy Sports Marine Corps