1673318497 Steelers Alex Highsmith apologizes for CPR sack celebration says it

Steelers’ Alex Highsmith apologizes for CPR sack celebration, says it wasn’t on purpose

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith apologized for the CPR sack celebration he attended towards the end of the team’s win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Steelers defensive end Demarvin Leal came to Highsmith after sacking Deshaun Watson and pretended to give him chest compressions. The celebration was described as lacking in musicality, as it came just days after the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field during a game.

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Quarterback Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Highsmith told reporters Monday he only made the connection after the game was over and he saw the clip doing the rounds on social media.

“I just don’t want people to think of me like that and think I’m doing anything [intentional]’ the Steelers linebacker said via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Because I never, ever, ever, ever want to do that on purpose, and I would never, ever do that.”

DAMAR HAMLINS DOCTORS REMEMBER HE SET ‘ALL ALARM ON THE ICU OFF’ IN RESPONSE TO THE KICKOFF RETURN TD OF BILLS

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is released by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, January 8, 2023.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is fired by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, January 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

He added: “I just want people to know that I have nothing but love for Damar and his family. When that happened, I was devastated for a few days. Me and my wife, we saw the game, we saw it right away and we started praying on purpose, praying on purpose for him, his parents, the doctors, the nurses, because me and they, we’re both followers of Christ, we both believe that prayer is mighty and I’m just thankful to God for the miracle of Damar’s life done. I just want people to know that it wasn’t on purpose. It was never planned. None of that.”

Doctors caring for Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center gave a positive update on Bills’ safety on Monday.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson crawls out of the pocket while Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh Sunday, January 8, 2023.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson crawls out of the pocket while Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh Sunday, January 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

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Doctors said Hamlin was discharged from the hospital and transferred to a Buffalo hospital.

Ryan Gaydos is Sports Editor at Fox News Digital.