Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith Wins Prestigious Award
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith was named the 2024 winner of The Chief Award, which is voted on by the Pittsburgh Chapter of Pro Football Writers of America.
The award is given annually to a member of the Steelers organization that “best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media” of team founder Arthur J. Rooney Sr.
“It’s an honor to be just included with a bunch of great names who’ve won this award in the past,” Highsmith told the media on Tuesday. “Just truly an honor. I know how much this award means to the Rooney family. It means a lot to me and it means a lot to this organization as a whole. Once again, grateful to help you guys do your job.”
Highsmith has also had a profound impact on the community, winning the Week 1 NFLPA Community MVP. The award is presented weekly during the regular season to a player who has made a positive impact in his hometown or team city. Highsmith won the award for hosting a back-to-school backpack giveaway in Pittsburgh and North Carolina. He went on to host events throughout the rest of the season, including a Christmas coat giveaway to kids from Urban Impact.
Highsmith, who is in his fifth season out of Charlotte, has dealt with two separate injuries this year that has sidelined him for six games. It’s been a difficult season for Highsmith health wise, but he’s always accountable and available when speaking with media members.
In 10 games, Highsmith has recorded 38 tackles (24 solo), six sacks, nine tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits.
Here is the full list of Chief Award winners:
1988 Dan Rooney
1989 Dwayne Woodruff
1990 Merril Hoge
1991 Gerald Williams
1992 Tunch Ilkin
1993 D.J. Johnson
1994 Rod Woodson
1995 Levon Kirkland
1996 Chad Brown
1997 Darren Perry
1998 Jerome Bettis
1999 Lee Flowers
2000 Jerome Bettis
2001 Lee Flowers
2002 Hines Ward
2003 Mike Logan
2004 Jerome Bettis
2005 Alan Faneca
2006 Brett Keisel and Deshea Townsend
2007 Alan Faneca
2008 Ryan Clark
2009 James Farrior
2010 Ben Roethlisberger
2011 James Farrior
2012 Casey Hampton
2013 Ike Taylor
2014 Cameron Heyward
2015 Ramon Foster
2016 Arthur Moats
2017 David DeCastro
2018 Joe Haden
2019 Cameron Heyward
2020 Ben Roethlisberger
2021 Cameron Heyward
2022 Mason Cole
2023 Patrick Peterson
Alan Saunders and Aaron Becker of Steelers Now are members of the PFWA and voted on the award.
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