Football

Ashley retires jersey number of Steelers standout Alex Highsmith

Highsmith went from no offers out of high school to a $68 million contract & a jersey retirement.

Posted 2024-02-10T03:07:10+00:00 - Updated 2024-02-10T03:07:10+00:00

Joel Bryant

Ashley High School's athletic department retired the #34 football jersey of Alex Highsmith in between its varsity games on Friday night.

Highsmith is a standout outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The retirement ceremony happening during a basketball game is fitting as Highsmith was a multi-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball.

"I'm not going to lie," Highsmith said during the ceremony. "I'm more nervous for this right now than I have been for any game. But I'm grateful to be back in this gym where I played and in this school where I played."

The Steelers pass rusher has accumulated 29.5 sacks over his first four seasons in the NFL. In 2022, he led the league with five forced fumbles to go with his 14.5 sacks. In 2023, he recorded his first pick-six.

Highsmith's total career numbers are 242 combined tackles, 40 tackles for a loss, 29.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three interceptions, and 59 quarterback hits.

"I want to give all glory where it's due to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pride myself to be the best Christian I can be," the outside linebacker continued. "And that's one thing I want y'all to know about me. That's the main thing."

The member of Ashley's 2015 graduating class received a four-year, $68 million contract extension from the Steelers in the summer.

Pittsburgh drafted Highsmith out of UNC-Charlotte in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was the No. 102 overall pick.

Despite his success at Charlotte, Highsmith did not arrive with the 49ers as a scholarship player. In fact, Highsmith didn't receive a single offer out of high school. Charlotte made the walk-on a scholarship player shortly after the program realized what it really had.

"I believe that my story is a testamony," Highsmith added. "I know it's cliche to say that hard work can take you places, but it really does."

Alex Highsmith (42) of Ashley and Julius Barnes (C) (10) of Garner. Ashley Screaming Eagles visit the Garner Trojans in the first round of the NCHSAA 4A Boys Basketball playoffs. Garner runs away with it, 97-57. Trojans advance to the 2nd round with the win. Saturday February 28, 2015, Garner, NC.
(Photo: Karl Fisher / WRAL contributor) — Alex Highsmith (42) of Ashley and Julius Barnes (C) (10) of Garner. Ashley Screaming Eagles visit the Garner Trojans in the first round of the NCHSAA 4A Boys Basketball playoffs. Garner runs away with it, 97-57. Trojans advance to the 2nd round with the win. Saturday February 28, 2015, Garner, NC. (Photo: Karl Fisher / WRAL contributor)

"I'm thankful for God's grace in my life. For giving me that hard work ethic to do what I do and chase what I love."

While Highsmith never experienced a winning season as a football player at Ashley, he learned a lot under highly-regarded North Carolina high school football coach Tom Eanes. Highsmith was an infielder on Ashley's varsity baseball team and posted a career hitting average of .272.