USA TODAY Sports

Alex Highsmith's Parents Call Out Refs After Injury

Originally posted on FanNation All Steelers
By Stephen Thompson | Last updated 12/8/23

The Pittsburgh Steelers only got to play little more than one quarter of football against the New England Patriots with star pass rusher Alex Highsmith on the field.

Highsmith left the game with 14:47 remaining on the second quarter clock after suffering a neck injury. Highsmith and a handful of other Steelers players lobbied with the officials as he walked off, saying he was held on the play and that argument spilled over onto Twitter, where Highsmith's mother, Pamela pleaded with officials for a holding call.

This is why he is now out with a neck injury .
Call all penalties . https://t.co/fJuR3GutVw
— Pamela Highsmith (@PamelaHighsmith) December 8, 2023

Highsmith's father, Sam expressed his frustration with the no-call as well and said that this is a regular occurrence for his son in games week by week.

"Just another day at the office for 56!" he said.

Before kickoff against the Patriots, Alex Highsmith had echoed a similar sentiment about his teammate, T.J. Watt, saying that officials let opponents get away with far too many holds on the superstar pass rusher.

Sam Highsmith posted again during the game, thanking fans for their well wishes directed towards his son, but also asking that they stay focused on positive things - like Alex's health, for example - instead of dogpiling on the team after a tough loss.

Thanks for the many thoughts and prayers for Alex!! For all of you consumed with being focused on the negativity, just remember that these are young men playing a game. Just imagine if it was your child or husband out there. pic.twitter.com/02YBsSOlak
— Sam Highsmith (@HighsmithHigh5) December 8, 2023