Football fever!
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Seattle Seahawks fans Greg Powell, left, and Wallace Watts, aka "Captain Seahawk," got a look at the draft stage Thursday morning before the crowds arrived. [Karen Mansfield]
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The countdown clock welcomes visitors to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. [Karen Mansfield]
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In a few hours, this area will be filled with a sea of football fans for the start of the NFL Draft. [Karen Mansfield]
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A look at the stage before NFL football draftees take to the stage later today [Karen Mansfield]
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Deejay "Cat Daddy" Howell drove from Charlotte, N.C., with his son – who was still sleeping when this early morning photo was taken – to witness the NFL Draft. Howell said he makes the trip to all the Pitt Panthers' football games. [Karen Mansfield]
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This group of international fans traveled to Pittsburgh from Germany, France and Canada for the draft. [Karen Mansfield]
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Keystone Oaks graduates and high school friends said the NFL Draft was a once-in-a-lifetime event and planned to spend Thursday enjoying all the activities offered. [Karen Mansfield]
Our intrepid reporter Karen Mansfield was up before dawn to make the trek into Pittsburgh to talk to fans gathering for the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft. She arrived early to capture some photos before the thousands descend upon the North Shore in advance of tonight’s festivities, which get underway at 8 p.m. Check back throughout the day for more photos.