Alex Highsmith Calls Out Darius Slay for Harsh “Prison Uniform” Remark, Reminds Him What It Means to Be a Steelers

Pittsburgh, PA – October 25, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ newest cornerback, Darius Slay, has stirred up unexpected controversy ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers — this time, not over a play on the field, but over the team’s new gold throwback uniforms.

Appearing on the Richard Sherman Podcast, Slay joked that the uniforms had “too much yellow” and made players “look like we’re incarcerated,” adding that he didn’t feel comfortable in them. His comments quickly went viral — and not in a good way.

The remarks sparked frustration among Steelers fans, many of whom see the 1933-inspired throwback uniforms as a proud tribute to the franchise’s roots and to the city of Pittsburgh’s working-class history.

And veteran defensive Alex Highsmith didn’t hesitate to clap back. When asked about Slay’s comments, Highsmith responded firmly, delivering both a lesson in Steelers pride and a subtle jab.

“Slay’s new here, he doesn’t get our tradition yet,” Highsmith said with a grin. “Those uniforms aren’t just fabric. They’re part of who we are. The gold stands for Pittsburgh, for our grind, for everything this city’s built on.

We don’t wear history to look good — we wear it because we earned it.”

Highsmith’s defense of the design immediately resonated with fans, flooding social media with messages of support. Many applauded Highsmith for standing up for tradition, saying it’s exactly the type of leadership that defines the Steelers’ locker room.

This season marks the first year the Steelers will debut the gold throwback uniforms, modeled after their original 1933 design — complete with vintage stripes, beige pants, and the city crest on the chest. The team last wore a similar retro style in 1994, but this version adds a modern matte-gold helmet that gives Pittsburgh a fresh twist on its history.

Despite the debate, Highsmith kept things light-hearted to close the discussion:

“If we start winning in them,” he said, “I bet Slay will love the color real fast.”

It’s a perfect blend of humor and authority — the kind of statement only a true Steelers veteran could make.