Pittsburgh veteran to announce 250th nfl draft pick

Darryl Jackson, a 30-year military veteran from Pittsburgh, has been chosen by the Wounded Warrior Project to announce the 250th pick in the NFL Draft, commemorating 250 years of American independence.

A lifetime of service leads to a once-in-a-lifetime moment

After serving 30 years combined in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, with stints in nearly a dozen countries, Jackson found a new purpose when he joined the Wounded Warrior Project after retiring in 2018. He quickly became an advocate leader for his fellow veterans.

On the day he received the call from the Wounded Warrior Project, Jackson was already set to attend the draft on Saturday, along with a wheelchair football event for veterans. But this new role catapulted his excitement.

“Before she even got done with saying the 250, I said, 'Yup,’” Jackson recalled, laughing at the memory. “I was like, 'Bro, it's me plus a guest. Do you want to go?' He's like, 'Stop playing!'