Pittsburgh knows Alex Highsmith for the way he plays football — the speed, the power, the relentless drive that makes quarterbacks look over their shoulders every time they drop back.
He’s the man who turns third-and-long into third-and-done.
But this week, his biggest play didn’t come under the lights of Acrisure Stadium.
It happened quietly — on a Saturday morning — in a small community center on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
No roaring crowd. No blitz packages.
Just grocery bags, soup pots, and volunteers wearing black-and-gold aprons.
That’s where Alex Highsmith officially launched “The Weekend Pantry” — a year-round Saturday food program providing fresh meals and essential groceries to families in need across Pittsburgh. What started as a simple idea during the offseason has now grown into a mission that touches hundreds of lives each week.
“Football has an offseason. Hunger doesn’t,” Highsmith said, standing beside shelves stacked with canned goods and bread. “If I can help one kid go to bed without an empty stomach, then I’m doing more than just playing a game.”
Those words have since gone viral, but for Highsmith, it’s not about attention — it’s about action.
From the Field to the Community
Growing up in North Carolina, Highsmith saw firsthand what it meant for families to struggle. His mother often volunteered at local food drives, and those lessons stuck with him. When he came to Pittsburgh, he wanted to bring that same sense of giving back — especially to a city that has embraced him since day one.
“Pittsburgh has grit,” he said. “This city fights for everything — its jobs, its people, its pride. That’s why I love it here. If I can give something back, that’s my way of saying thank you.”
Through The Weekend Pantry, Highsmith and his foundation partner with local businesses and food suppliers to prepare hundreds of meal kits every Saturday. Each bag includes not just food, but dignity — fresh produce, protein, and essentials families can use to get through the week.
The program also invites Steelers fans and community members to volunteer side-by-side, breaking down barriers between athletes and neighbors. It’s not uncommon to see Highsmith himself loading boxes or chatting with kids about school and sports.
More Than Football
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin praised Highsmith’s efforts, calling him “a leader on and off the field.”
“This is what being a Steeler is all about,” Tomlin said. “We talk about toughness, about heart — Alex shows both, every single day, whether he’s in pads or in the community.”
And for the families who benefit, it’s more than just a meal. It’s hope.
One volunteer shared, “When people see Alex here — not just donating money, but working alongside us — it reminds everyone that we’re in this together. He’s proving football players can make an impact beyond the field.”
A Legacy Beyond the Game
As the NFL season grinds on, Highsmith’s name will continue to echo through stadium speakers and highlight reels. But for those who see him in that small Pittsburgh pantry, his legacy will be defined by something far greater than stats or trophies.
“Football gave me a platform,” he said with a smile. “Now it’s time to use it for something that lasts.”
And in a city built on hard work and heart, Alex Highsmith’s new playbook might just be his most important one yet — feeding hope, one weekend at a time. 🖤💛
