Long before they thought about stepping onto an NFL practice field, Alex Tecza and Eli Heidenreich were just kids in Mt. Lebanon — running drills, competing against each other and learning the game they loved.

Years later, after sharing a high school championship run and navigating the demands of the United States Naval Academy, their paths remain intertwined. Now, with an opportunity to continue that journey with their hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, their story has come full circle in a way few could have imagined.

“It’s almost unbelievable at this point,” Tecza said. “You couldn’t really draw it up much better than that: Two friends beating the odds from a small town in Western Pennsylvania.”

A bond built from the beginning

Their connection dates to first grade, when both players first took the field in the Mt. Lebanon youth football system. Even then, there were signs of something special.

“I don’t think anyone could predict that they would be teammates the whole way through to this point,” said Eli’s father, David Heidenreich. “But those two have always been intertwined since that first-grade year.”

They didn’t always play on the same team early on. In fact, they were often split up — two of the best players competing against each other. But when they were finally paired together in all-star settings, their chemistry stood out.

“Those two kids … when they’re together, they’re a dangerous combo,” David said. “I would never bet against them.”

That connection only deepened over time. By high school, the two had become close friends and key pieces of a team that would go on to win a state championship.

More than just two players

For their former head coach at Mt. Lebanon High School, Bob Palko, their story is about more than just two standout athletes.

“The chemistry between those two wasn’t only between those two — it was their entire class,” Palko said. “They were so selfless. They were excited for each other’s success because they knew it helped the team.”

Both Tecza and Heidenreich led more by example than by words, setting a tone that defined the program.

“They were fun to coach,” Palko said. “You could coach them hard, and they didn’t take it personally. They just wanted to get better.”

That mindset helped carry them beyond high school, even as their paths grew more demanding.

A different kind of college experience

At the Naval Academy, football was only one part of a much larger commitment.

“Football’s not even at the top of the list there,” Palko said. “They’ve got so many other responsibilities.”

For Tecza, having Heidenreich alongside him made all the difference.

“You can’t get through that place alone,” Tecza said. “Having someone I trusted there since day one was huge.”

The experience tested them both physically and mentally, strengthening not only their games but their bond.

Overcoming the odds

Neither player took a traditional path to this moment.

Heidenreich in particular faced a challenging recruiting process during the COVID-affected cycle, when opportunities were limited and exposure was scarce.

“He was largely ignored during that phase,” David recalled. “But he just kept working and that’s been his approach the whole time.”

That persistence eventually paid off, earning him a chance at the next level and reinforcing a lesson that has defined both players’ journeys.

“I’m happy for him because he’s being rewarded for the effort,” David said. “It’s deserved.”

A hometown moment

When the call came — an NFL opportunity with the hometown Steelers — the reaction was emotional for everyone involved.

“Pure joy,” David said. “As a parent, there’s nothing more you want than to see your child realize their dreams.”

Palko felt it too.

“I was holding back tears,” he said. “You see the joy, the pride in the family and all the things that went into it.”

For Tecza, the moment carried an extra layer of meaning.

“The first person I told was Eli,” he said with a laugh.

Still representing home

Back in Mt. Lebanon, the community has rallied around both players, just as it did during their championship run.

“The level of support has been astounding,” David said. “We have nothing but gratitude.”

That support hasn’t gone unnoticed by Tecza.

“It’s extremely supportive in Lebo — coaches, teachers, people I haven’t talked to in years,” he said. “That’s just fuel for us.”

Both players understand what their journey represents for younger athletes watching from the same fields they once played on.

“Chase your dreams,” Tecza said. “It’s possible. Even from a small town as an under-recruited player. Just work hard and it’ll work out.”

A story still being written

What happens next is uncertain. At press time, Tecza was fighting to earn a roster spot. Heidenreich, now drafted, faces the challenge of proving himself at the professional level with the Steelers.

But regardless of what comes next, their story has already left its mark.

“It’s really unbelievable,” Tecza said. “If you told me years ago we’d still be doing this together, I wouldn’t believe you.”

In a sport defined by competition and constant change, their journey stands out for one simple reason:

They never stopped being teammates.