Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith has been named the team’s nominee for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
It’s the first time Highsmithi has been nominated for the award, which is the NFL’s highest individual honor. The award recognizes players for both on-the-field excellence and impacting communities outside football.
“I am so humbled, honored, and grateful to be the Steelers’ nominee for this year’s Walter Payton Man of The Year,” Highsmith said, via Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “I truly believe that God has given me this platform to be a blessing to others, especially in the communities that I love. Walter Payton is one of the best football players of all time, but his true impact and legacy is felt today through the way he lifted up his community. I’m grateful to be able to make an impact off the field like he did.
“I believe that my purpose in life is to bring glory to God by serving others. He gave me this platform for that reason. To be a light and to serve others through the love of Christ. I love what I get to do on the field, but what I do off the field to make a positive impact in my community will always be most important to me.”
The Alex Highsmith Family Foundation has given back to Pittsburgh, his hometown of Wilmington, N.C., and Charlotte, N.C., where he played college football.
“I just want to do whatever I can to help in the community, and if others are able to see that and that gets them involved, that is a blessing,” Highsmith said. “The most important thing as NFL players is that we use our platform in a positive manner to help others.”
The moment Alex Highsmith found out he was the Steelers Club Winner for 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by @Nationwide. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/yrhBIXhvNX
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 4, 2025
Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward won the award in 2023.
Heyward was the fifth Steelers player to win the award, following Franco Harris in 1976, Joe Greene in 1979, Lynn Swann in 1981 and Jerome Bettis in 2001.
The winner of the award will be announced at the 2026 NFL Honors ceremony during Super Bowl week in February. The award is selected by a panel that includes former winners. Finalists receive a $50,000 donation to a charity of their choice and the winner receives a $250,000 donation.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Alex Highsmith Named Steelers Nominee for Walter Payton Award
