Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Signs New Contract: ‘I Play for His Glory’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith thanked God after signing a new five-year contract with the team last week, making him one of the highest-paid outside linebackers in football.
“First and foremost, I just want to give all the glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the ability to play this game that I love,” the linebacker opened the press conference announcing his contract. “I play for His glory, and so just being able to do this is just such a blessing.”
Highsmith has always approached football with a “no one works harder than me” mentality, and this mindset launched him into the big leagues after his time at UNC-Charlotte.
“As soon as I got to Charlotte, I just wanted to outwork everyone and be the best that I could. I still carry that mindset with me today,” he said at the press conference. “I know there’s always people that are going to work to be better than you, so just continuing to work as hard as I can just to be the best for this team is what I’m going to continue to do.”
Following his signing day, the 25-year-old took to Instagram to praise God.
He wrote, “All Praise and Glory to you Jesus. Here to Stay! I’m a Steeler through and through, LETS ROCK STEELER NATION! Ephesians 3:20 #G2G #HereWeGo”
In March, Highsmith discussed his desire to continue with the Steelers but trusted that God had a plan no matter what happened.
“I do want to be here, that’s just really the main thing,” he expressed on the “House of Yinzer” podcast. “So, we’ll see. God’s got a plan with it all, and so [I’m] just trusting Him the whole way. But I do love it here, and I love the fans—Steelers Nation as a whole is great.”
But as much as Highsmith loves football, he knows he can’t make it his identity.
“Jesus died for me, I’ve got to live for Him. That’s why it’s so important because all the things in this world are fleeting,” Highsmith told Niner Times. “I love this game of football, it’s amazing, but it’s not my god. I’ve tried to put my identity in the sport at times, and it’s let me down. This game, it’s great, but it’s not going to be God.”
Sports Spectrum reported, “The Steelers will be relying on Highsmith and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt to anchor their defense as the team attempts to win a playoff game for the first time since 2016. If they win at least nine games, it would mark the 20th consecutive season the franchise did not finish with a losing record.”
It added, “Pittsburgh faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in its first preseason game on Aug. 11. Its regular-season opener is Sept. 10 against the San Francisco 49ers.”
Movieguide® previously reported on another Steeler:
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger addressed the media after his team’s final game of the season, sharing that he is ready for what God will do in the next chapter of his life…
While Roethlisberger did not confirm his retirement, he said he wanted to focus on leading his family.
“I’m going to do everything I can to be the best husband and father I can be and try to expand God’s kingdom,” Roethlisberger said.
Despite the loss, the pro-bowl QB thanked God for the blessing of a successful career in the NFL.
“It’s tough. I’m proud to have played with these guys,” he said. “God has blessed me with an ability to throw a football and has blessed me to play in the greatest city, Pittsburgh, with the greatest fans and the greatest football team and players, and it’s just been truly a blessing and I’m so thankful to him for the opportunity that he’s given me.”
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