By Mallory Mattingly
Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith understands that he’s in Pittsburgh to “make an impact” for the Lord.
“He is my Sustainer. He is someone that I can lean on in anything. He is more than just my savior. He’s also my Lord as well,” Highsmith told Matt Forte on the “Sports Spectrum” podcast. “And so just knowing that He has called me to follow Him wholeheartedly, it’s something that I’m leaning on and especially knowing that I have the platform that I have.”
“He has called me to bring all the glory to Him,” the linebacker continued. “And as much as I want to make it about myself, as much as I want to, you know, try and get as many stats as I can get, as many sacks as I can get, get to the next contract, like He is consistent, reminding me that, like, all right, you know, ‘I brought you to this platform. I brought you to Pittsburgh to make an impact for my name and my glory alone.’ And so I think that’s just really who He is to me.”
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Highsmith was also a part of Sports Spectrum’s “I Once Was” testimony series. In his testimony, the athlete talked about the night his life was transformed at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meeting.
“They announced at one of the FCA meetings about this conference where a bunch of different schools come and fellowship and grow in the Lord. I ended up going in 2015 for the first time,” Highsmith recalled. “That weekend, I just remember the pastor was talking about the reality of heaven and hell. I think God just opened up my eyes and my heart that night, because that was the first time I realized that I’m a sinner in need of a savior.”
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“I remember that night, a worship leader was playing music, and I felt this heartbeat in my chest,” he continued. “That was clearly the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart and drawing me to Himself. I said a prayer that night, and Jesus became real, and I accepted Him as my savior.”
Ever since then, Highsmith always plays for the Lord.
“I’ve always been caught up in the identity of what I do. I want to be the best NFL player that I can be, but ultimately, what I do for Christ will last. I’m so grateful for all that He’s done in my life, and all He’s going to continue to do,” he emphasized.
It could be easy for Highsmith to get distracted by stats, wins or awards, but because his relationship with Christ, he remains focused on making an impact for the Lord.
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