The New York Giants have partnered with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to allow the family of fallen Army Major Paul C. Voelke to announce the team’s fifth overall pick at the 2026 NFL draft on April 23.
This honor recognizes Major Voelke, a lifelong Giants fan and New York native who died in Afghanistan in 2012.
Major Voelke shared his passion for the team with his family. His widow, Traci Voelke, and sons, Second Lieutenant Andrew Voelke and Benjamin Voelke, will take the stage to reveal the selection as part of the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative.
TAPS, a national nonprofit supporting military survivors, has partnered with the league for a decade.
“Our dad was a Giants super fan his whole life and passed down that fandom to our family,” Benjamin Voelke said in a statement. “It is a privilege to honor our father and represent the New York Giants at the NFL draft this year.”
Traci Voelke recalled her husband’s dedication.
“Paul was a huge fan his whole life,” she said. “When he was in Afghanistan, Paul had a rug made with the NY Giants logo.
“He deployed for the last time in January 2012; the Giants won the Super Bowl that year. While we were sad we couldn’t watch it together, we were so happy the Giants won, and Paul got to see it. He died just a few months later.”
A West Point graduate, Major Voelke served 14 years as an infantry officer with five deployments in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The family has engaged with TAPS since 2012, with Traci serving as a peer mentor and advocate for Gold Star spouses.
“The NFL draft is about possibility,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS president and founder. “It is also about something deeper, because behind every name called tonight is a story of sacrifice.”
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Gold Star family will announce New York Giants’ first-round pick
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
