Linebacker Alex Highsmith understands the impact he can have in the community.
He knows the platform he has been entrusted with to touch the lives of others.
And he has taken advantage of it, making a significant difference in the communities that matter the most to him.
Through the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, he has opened his arms and his heart to three places that are important to him, including Pittsburgh, his hometown of Wilmington, N.C., and Charlotte, N.C., where he played college football.
He uses his work in his foundation to empower the next generation through fitness, education and community.
And that is why Highsmith is the Steelers Club Winner for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide. Every team selects a player as the Club Winner for the award, and the overall winner is announced at NFL Honors ahead of the Super Bowl.
"I am so humbled, honored, and grateful to be the Steelers' nominee for this year's Walter Payton Man of The Year," said Highsmith. "I truly believe that God has given me this platform to be a blessing to others, especially in the communities that I love. Walter Payton is one of the best football players of all time, but his true impact and legacy is felt today through the way he lifted up his community. I'm grateful to be able to make an impact off the field like he did.
"I believe that my purpose in life is to bring glory to God by serving others. He gave me this platform for that reason. To be a light and to serve others through the love of Christ. I love what I get to do on the field, but what I do off the field to make a positive impact in my community will always be most important to me."
Through the foundation, Highsmith has established multiple programs that he has done on a yearly basis, as well as other events he continually develops and gets on board with.
Highsmith has hosted the annual Alex Highsmith Youth Football Camp since 2021. The 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 his annual Back to School Bash in 2021, supporting hundreds of kids yearly with school supplies and resources in all of the areas where he has a history.
As he always does, Highsmith kicked off the 2025 football season, and the new school year, by hosting the 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.
"It's so important, that's one of the core pillars of our foundation," said Highsmith. "Our foundation is giving back to youth through education. Knowing how important it is for kids to be geared up and ready to go for the new school year is so important. Being out there to help those kids means a lot to me.
"It's awesome just to be able to give back. I have been blessed with what I have for a reason, it's to give blessings to others. To be able to give back to the community in this way, to give back to kids in this way, kids who needs this, it's a special opportunity."
Highsmith said the highlight is seeing the smiles on the kids' faces as they get their new backpack and spend time together.
"It's cool because I know when I was in their shoes I reacted the same way," said Highsmith. "Just being able to be a blessing to them, that is my main goal off the field. To use my talents and ability to help others.
"I know it can be stressful for the parents. To be able to provide for some of the kids who don't have the things they need, that is what we are called to do.
"That's the best part about it, being there, interacting with the kids and just playing games with them. It's really encouraging them for the school year to come, for them to study hard and just be their best selves in the classroom."
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.
Moved by that, every month he visits a local homeless shelter in Pittsburgh, taking teammates with him, but in a day and age when cameras are constantly on hand to capture every moment of giving back, Highsmith shies away from that, just there to provide inspiration for others.
"I'm really proud of Alex for earning this nomination and for the work he's done on the field and in the community through his foundation," said 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Cam Heyward. "I've talked a lot about the special relationship that Steelers have with the Pittsburgh community and our responsibility as players to give back. I'm glad to see guys like Alex continuing to carry that torch."
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.
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. 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.
"I think mental health is something that's just overlooked, and it's not talked about enough," said Highsmith. "There has been more awareness raised on it. Just being vulnerable as an NFL player, I've struggled a lot with mental health throughout my career.
"I think there's a lot of people that struggle with it, but they keep silent about it. I think it's something people need to be more vulnerable about because a lot people deal with it.
"I wish I would have had someone talk to me about mental health growing up. I think it's something if you can talk about it with kids, make them aware, and let them know it's something they might face growing up.
"It's important to bring awareness to it. I know I struggled with it when I was a kid. I know there's kids out there who struggle with mental health, struggle with depression. So, just to be a light for them and show the ways that I've dealt with it I hope helps them."
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. The scholarships are to uplift student-athletes who reflect Baron'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.
Highsmith had his day in the sun when Wilmington, North Carolina celebrated 'Alex Highsmith Day' on April 6, 2024, although he prefers to be more behind-the-scenes with what he does.
Highsmith, who grew up in Wilmington, was recognized by Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo for his work on and off the field. Highsmith was honored in particular for his work with his Foundation.
"God has blessed me with this platform, to just be a light for him and do it all for his glory," said Highsmith. "So, knowing that the main reason I have this platform is not just to play football but to make a difference and be a blessing to others. Knowing that I have this platform, I know it comes with great responsibility and that is to give back to others and make a difference.
"Ultimately, I know that I can make a lasting difference in the community. Just by going out and doing different things with the kids and being a role model for them, that's what matters to me most."
Highsmith recently partnered with YouthPlaces 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 later this month when he partners with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to support over 150 families during the holidays, fulfilling a growing need of helping with food insecurity in the country.
Highsmith will also continue his tradition of providing 200 coats to students at Urban Impact Foundation, an organization which has a strong focus on sports being a safe haven for kids and invests in the lives of at-risk children and their families. For many of the kids it's an opportunity to receive a new, warm winter coat for the first time.
"It's so important what Pastor Ed Glover is doing and everyone who works at Urban Impact," said Highsmith. "Just to see how they have impacted Pittsburgh, and the North Side area of Pittsburgh in particular, by investing in the youth, the next generation. I love what they do.
"Their sole mission is to bring in the young kids and give them options. With the camps and learning, it's so important. There are so many kids they have had an impact on. Them giving their lives to it means a lot."
Highsmith also appreciates the faith-based side of the foundation, which allows the kids to have spiritual guidance as well.
"I love it. They bring the Gospel to everything they do," said Highsmith. "That is something important to them and to me. They invest in the kids spiritually. It's not just emotionally and physically but also spiritually as well. I just love what they are doing. Whenever I was thinking of something, they were my first option."
While Highsmith 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. And he is an open book, always willing to share insight to help others grow and become better versions of themselves.
"I just want to do whatever I can to help in the community, and if others are able to see that and that gets them involved, that is a blessing," said Highsmith. "The most important thing as NFL players is that we use our platform in a positive manner to help others."
