Steelers SLAMMED as player perform mock ‘CPR’ on linebacker after Damar Hamlin cardiac arrest
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‘Unprofessional and disgusting’: Steelers BEATEN after players celebrated a sack by performing mock ‘CPR’ on linebacker Alex Highsmith, days after Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest playing for the Bills and needed to be revived on the field
Football fans were upset for a moment at a Steelers game Sunday, where a Pittsburgh player showed up to celebrate a sack of Alex Highsmith by pretending to give him CPR.
The incident comes days after Damar Hamlin collapsed playing for the Buffalo Bills against the Cincinnati Bengals and needed to be revived on the field after going into cardiac arrest.
After Highsmith challenged Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns, he lay on his back on the ground. A teammate was then filmed running to congratulate him before performing a simulated chest compression on Highsmith.
The camera angle didn’t clearly indicate who the player in question was, but Highsmith didn’t seem to find the incident too amusing and quickly got up and on his feet.
The Steelers celebrated a sack of Alex Highsmith with a mock ‘CPR’ in Sunday’s game
But watching football fans took notice immediately and many took to Twitter.
I have lost all respect for that team. If Mike Tomlin doesn’t address that despicable act, he will lose my respect too,” one said, while another posted: “They don’t look good Steelers, not even close! Unprofessional and disgusting.
Another wrote: ‘What the hell was that CPR celebration by that Steelers player?’
A different fan said, “It’s nice to see the Steelers paying tribute and showing love to Hamlin by doing a CPR celebration in that bag.”
The CPR celebration has been seen before in football to celebrate a sack, but this weekend’s moment left many with a bad taste in their mouths.
Earlier this week, four Steelers players volunteered to deliver toys to a day care center where Hamlin’s mother has worked. Levi Wallace, Tre Norwood, Terrell Edmunds and Cameron Sutton starred in the gesture as a symbol of support.
The NFL gathered over the weekend to send Hamlin well wishes after the shocking scenes on Monday. The Steelers and Browns gathered at midfield to pray for Hamlin on Sunday, a scene that played out over the final weekend of NFL regular-season games.
Hamlin himself shared his first photo on social media since falling ill, from his hospital bed, and released a variety of T-shirts to raise money for those who cared for him.
The Steelers posted a 28-14 victory on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough to take them to the playoffs. They finish third in the AFC North standings.
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