Excellence on the Field:
Highsmith has been an unsung hero of the Steelers defense since being drafted in Pittsburgh in the third round (102nd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, but being underestimated is nothing new for the sixth-year linebacker. A walk-on at UNC Charlotte, Highsmith was named a starter at defensive end as a redshirt junior and in his last two seasons at Charlotte was twice named first-team All-Conference USA. As a senior, he was also a third-team All-American selection by the Associated Press after setting new school records with 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss. Since becoming a starter on Pittsburgh’s defense in 2021, Highsmith hasn’t finished a season with less than 6.0 sacks, despite missing seven weeks of the 2024 season due to injury. So far this season, he’s amassed 5.5 sacks, tied for second on the team, and a half-sack behind team leader, TJ Watt. He also tallied 24 tackles (15 solo), 10 QB hits, one pass defense, and one forced fumble over the first seven games of the season. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 9 performance against the Indianapolis Colts.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts This Year:
As he always does, Highsmith kicked off the 2025 football season, and the new school year, by hosting a Back to School Bash where he provided over 200 kids with free backpacks, haircuts, hygiene kits, books, and meals. Education is one of the pillars of his foundation, and anytime he can give back in Pittsburgh, Wilmington and Charlotte, he does just that. Highsmith spoke to Pittsburgh area high school students at a Youth Empowerment and Mental Health Yoga Event held in conjunction with the Steelers Social Justice Committee, which he is a member of. Highsmith spoke about the struggles he overcame with his own mental health and shared his advice with the students on how to overcome challenges. Highsmith is not shy about stressing the importance of mental health, not being afraid to point out it’s something NFL players can struggle with and are often silent about. He encouraged all to not be afraid to be vulnerable and seek any guidance they need. Later this month he will be partnering with Youth Places to host a cooking and etiquette skills seminar for 40 students. YouthPlaces mission is to create safe spaces and experiences that inspire young people to imagine, explore, and design their own futures. Highsmith’s work in the community will continue in December when he partners with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to support over 150 families during the holidays, fulfilling a growing need around food insecurity in the country. Highsmith will also continue his tradition of providing 200 coats to students at Urban Impact Foundation, an opportunity for many of them to receive a new, warm winter coat for the first time. In April, Alex Highsmith Day was held in Wilmington, N.C., to honor his continued commitment to his hometown.
Dedication & Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past:
Highsmith can be defined by three words, words that fall right in line with the values of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rooney family: faith, family, and football. These are the staples of the work he does in three places that are important to him, including Pittsburgh, his hometown of Wilmington, N.C., and Charlotte, N.C., where he played college football. This was his impetus for starting the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, which empowers the next generation through fitness, education, and community. Through the foundation, Highsmith has hosted the annual Alex Highsmith Youth Football Camp since 2021. This camp helps over 100 young athletes develop the skills and knowledge they need to excel on the field and in life. Highsmith also kicked off annual Back to School events in 2021, supporting over 100 kids yearly with school supplies and resources. His work doesn’t stop there. In 2024, Highsmith responded to the needs of those impacted by a devastating fire at a local homeless shelter in Pittsburgh, when nearly all the residents’ personal items were destroyed in the fire. Highsmith immediately stepped in, providing the shelter with new clothes, and he served dinner to each of the residents. Highsmith has been a dedicated member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Social Justice Committee since 2022. Through this program, he has built relationships with students to talk to them about how to deescalate tough situations that could lead to gun violence and the importance of mental health. He knows firsthand the effects of gun violence, as a high school classmate, Carly Rae Baron tragically lost her life to gun violence in 2020. The Alex Highsmith Family Foundation has worked in collaboration with the Baron family to establish the Carly Rae Baron Memorial Scholarship, which awards two $2,000 scholarships annually to varsity athletes at Eugene Ashley High School, one male and one female. Baron was a dedicated athlete, playing softball for two years and basketball all four years before continuing her basketball journey at the local Community College and later UNC-Wilmington. The scholarship awards uplift student-athletes who reflect Carly’s drive, leadership, and unwavering spirit. In addition, the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation Scholarships support high school students in Charlotte and Wilmington, while the Dancing Grandma Scholarship was created in honor of his grandmother, Ernestine Highsmith, and supports a deserving young dancer each year at Techniques in Motion.
Positive Character & a Lifestyle of Giving Back:
Highsmith leans on the three things that guide him, faith, family, and football, in his everyday behavior. Through his faith he is able to understand the importance of being accepting and welcoming to all. Highsmith celebrates the differences in all of us, encouraging others to share that same welcoming behavior. While he might not wear the title of captain, his leadership is impossible to miss in the locker room and the community. Younger players seek his advice and guidance for their daily football routine, as well as for a blueprint on how to reach out to the community. He is an open book, always willing to share insight to help others grow and become better versions of themselves. In a day and age when cameras are constantly on hand to capture every moment of giving back, Highsmith shies away from that. Every month he visits a local homeless shelter in Pittsburgh, taking teammates with him, but no cameras or social media are on hand. Highsmith truly understands what it means to be a part of the Pittsburgh Steelers culture, which is giving of yourself in every aspect on game day and in the community.