Steelers criticized for CPR-like act after sack

Some on social media have expressed disappointment or anger toward a pair of Pittsburgh Steelers players for appearing to mime a CPR act after a sack late during Sunday’s season-ending victory.

In an apparent celebratory act that the Steelers have, at various times, performed this season after big defensive plays, rookie defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal approached outside linebacker Alex Highsmith as the latter was lying prone on his back on the field following a sack of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson that was credited to Highsmith and T.J. Watt.

The scene could be interpreted as lacking taste because six days prior the Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin had required CPR after suffering cardiac arrest while making a routine tackle during a Monday night game at the Cincinnati Bengals.

People from across the world are not happy with the Steelers “CPR” celebration in light of Damar Hamlin’s life threatening injury that just happened earlier this week ???? pic.twitter.com/2YlNv0WfXa

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) January 9, 2023

Hamlin, a McKees Rocks native who starred at Central Catholic and Pitt, was hospitalized in Cincinnati for a week but released to a hospital in western New York on Monday to continue his recovery.

Reviews of previous occasions that Steelers players had mimicked a “CPR” celebration appear to reveal that fatigued players who take a moment to rest on the ground sometimes have a teammate mime CPR before helping them up.

Highsmith in November was announced as the Steelers’ nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award given “annually to a player for their on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.”

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