Cam Heyward honored local military members at a Q&A event before the 2026 NFL Draft. The event featured 100 military personnel and highlighted Heyward's family ties to military service.
Key points
Cam Heyward honored military members at a Q&A event.
The event took place before the 2026 NFL Draft.
100 military personnel attended the gathering.
Heyward has family ties to the military.
Mina Kimes also participated in the event.
Mentioned in this story
Pittsburgh SteelersMina Kimes
United States Coast GuardUnited States Air ForceCam Heyward
For both Heyward and Kimes, the event hits close to home, with the pair having deep ties to the military.
Heyward’s grandfather served in the United States Coast Guard, while Kimes’ father, Major Peter Kimes served in the United States Air Force for two decades.
For Heyward, it was a special moment to be able to share his experience being in a military family with the members in attendance ahead of night No. 1 of the NFL Draft.
"My grandfather was pretty quiet about things, but you always knew when he saw another vet he wanted to connect with," Heyward said. "He also talked about being disciplined, served on the board of education and both of my grandparents were big on that and the military. I am thankful for always having them in my corner."
Local military members gather for lunch at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Local military members gather and talk at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Q&A
What event did Cam Heyward attend before the 2026 NFL Draft?
Cam Heyward attended a Q&A event with 100 military members ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
What are Cam Heyward's family ties to the military?
Cam Heyward's grandfather served in the United States Coast Guard, and he shared his experiences as part of a military family at the event.
Who joined Cam Heyward at the military Q&A event?
ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes joined Cam Heyward at the military Q&A event.
When is the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026.
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Local military members eat lunch and gather at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Each local military member was given a Salute to Service hat as they walked in the door at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
ESPN NFL Analyst and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward participate in a Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward talks during a Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
A fan takes video of the Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Local military members watch the Q&A session with ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes and Cam Heyward at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward honors local military members
Local military members gather for lunch at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward honors local military members
Local military members gather for lunch at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward honors local military members
Local military members gather and talk at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward honors local military members
Local military members eat lunch and gather at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
4 / 8
Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward honors local military members
Each local military member was given a Salute to Service hat as they walked in the door at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
5 / 8
Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward honors local military members
ESPN NFL Analyst and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward participate in a Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' Cam Heyward honors local military ahead of NFL Draft
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward talks during a Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward honors local military members
A fan takes video of the Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward honors local military members
Local military members watch the Q&A session with ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes and Cam Heyward at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Among the military members in attendance, several branches have Beaver Valley ties. Twenty members from the Air Force Reserves are based at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station and another 20 come from the 171st Refueling Wing, also at the airport reserve station.
An additional 24 members came from the 316th Sustainment Command, which is headquartered out of Coraopolis, while six came from the Coast Guard which is homeported in Sewickley.
"It is an honor that the draft is in Pittsburgh, but it is an even bigger honor to serve our community in different ways," Heyward said. "I appreciate the good folks who make our lives easier and I am excited to be out here."
On top of meeting Heyward and Kimes and attending the first round of the NFL Draft, one military member, United States Army Staff Sargent Vohn Arnold got the chance to fill out the official draft card for the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward talks during a Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward talks during a Q&A session at the USAA NFL Draft event at the City Winery in the Strip District, Thursday, April 23, 2026 ahead of the first round of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The pick will be made by the Las Vegas Raiders and announced by commissioner Roger Goodell before making its way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.
"They [USAA] kept this a big secret all week and I didn't know what they had planned. They just told me to dress normally, but it is super exciting and an honor to be chosen for this."
Ethan Morrison is the sports reporter for the Beaver County Times. Follow him atEthanMorrison26 on X,formerly Twitter.
