Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith offered his apology while speaking to reporters Monday to anyone who was offended by the on-field celebration he and his teammates did after he sacked Deshaun Watson in last Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns at home (via Brian Batko of the Post-Gazette).

“I just don’t want people to think of me that way and think I was doing anything [intentional]. Because I would never, ever, ever, ever want to do that intentionally, and I never, ever would do that.

“I just want people to know that I have nothing but love for Damar and his family,” he continued. “When that happened, I was shook for a couple days. Me and my wife, we were watching the game, we immediately saw it and intentionally started praying, intentionally prayed for him, his parents, the doctors, the nurses.”

For our Week 18 recap and head coaching carousel discussion, listen below:

Article Continues Below
More Pittsburgh Steelers News
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
NFL rumors: Falcons insider picks Browns Kirk Cousins trade idea over SteelersZachary Weinberger ·
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham Jr. (89) during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center.
Steelers’ Donald Parham Jr. suffers season-ending injury in practiceBenedetto Vitale ·
Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) reacts after a touchdown reception during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Steelers rumors: Pittsburgh renews Jonnu Smith trade talks with DolphinsBenedetto Vitale ·
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) before the game against the Green Bay Packers at EverBank Stadium.
Steelers rumors: Pittsburgh hosting ex-Bills star with Jonnu Smith trade not expectedBen Strauss ·
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) reacts on the field against the New York Giants during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Steelers rumors: TJ Watt gets intriguing timeline amid contract extension sagaPreston Byers ·
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) enters the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Raiders’ Jackson Powers-Johnson eyeing revenge on Cam HeywardJosh Davis ·

Highsmith could not have been that insensitive to intentionally violate anyone's sense by being part of such a celebration just six days after Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin's life was saved on the field after receiving CPR on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Highsmith will just have to learn from it and be much more aware of his actions going forward, which can be said about Steelers defensive end Demarvin Leal, who was the one who fake-pumped Highsmith's chest during the celebration.

The Steelers caught the ire of the internet for that ill-advised celebration, which took away some of the fun from the Steelers' 28-14 win over the Browns. Highsmith finished that game with 2.5 sacks and two tackles for losses.

The Steelers concluded their 2022 NFL campaign with a 9-8 record — a bit of a consolation for having missed the playoff cut for the first time in three seasons.