Steelers Daily News & Links: Alex Highsmith Honored with Award; 10-Year Anniversary of Iconic Antonio Brown Play

Steelers Daily News & Links: Your daily stop for all of the news and links from the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL and around the Sports Now Group

? Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is the NFLPA’s Week 1 honoree after hosting his third annual Back to School Bash, where he provided 300+ kids with backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, books and more.

? Saturday marks the 10-year anniversary of when Antonio Brown kicked Cleveland Browns punter Spencer Lanning in the face on a punt return. Brown was fined $8,200 for the infraction. 

? Steelers quarterback Justin Fields did the coin toss at the Central Catholic vs. Woodland Hills game on Friday night.

? Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth had five games of 70+ receiving yards in 2022, just two seasons ago. That was tied for second-most among all tight ends that year, only trailing Travis Kelce, according to Daniel Valente of The Score.

? After signing his four-year, $48.4 million contract extension on Friday, Pat Freiermuth wrote on X, “Blessed to be apart of this organization for years to come!”

? Among tight ends since 2021-2022, Pat Freiermuth has the sixth-highest Pro Football Focus grade (76.3), ranks seventh in receptions (123), eighth in receiving yards (1,229), tied for ninth in receiving touchdowns (9), sixth in first downs (71), fourth in miss tackles forced (22) and fourth in contested catches (13).

? Friday marked the 32nd anniversary of Bill Cowher’s debut as the Steelers head coach. After trailing 14-0 early, Pittsburgh scored 13 unanswered second-half points to upset the favored Houston Oilers, 29-24.

? Former NFL quarterback and current analyst for The Athletic, Chase Daniels, thinks Justin Fields should start on Sunday. He thinks Wilson’s calf injury is a major concern.

“Is a 60% Russell Wilson better than a 100% Justin Fields? There’s no worse injury to a QB than a calf,” Daniels wrote on X. “Renowned QB Expert Tom House told me it’s all about your feet!!!”

? NBC announced that Thursday night’s Ravens-Chiefs season opener averaged 28.9 million viewers across all platforms, making it the most-watched NFL kickoff game ever.

? Derrick Henry recorded his 91st rushing touchdown on Thursday night, moving him into a tie for 11th all-time (tied with Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris).

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