The Steelers enjoyed the perfect start to their Monday Night Football clash against the Browns as Alex Highsmith waltzed into the end zone on the game’s very first play.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson threw an interception with his opening pass, with the ball spilled by tight end Harrison Bryant.
It was caught by Minkah Fitzpatrick but the Steelers safety then clattered into Bryant and lost the ball himself.
Eventually, Highsmith caught the looping ball and the linebacker returned the pick-six 30 yards as Pittsburgh raced into a 7-0 lead at Acrisure Stadium on Monday night.
It was only the second interception of Highsmith’s NFL career.
Alex Highsmith scored a Steelers touchdown on the first play of their game vs. the Browns
Highsmith caught the ball after it was intercepted and then lost by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick
The linebacker ran in from the 30-yard line to give the Steelers the perfect start to the game
The 26-year-old, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2020 draft, last recorded an interception in his rookie season.
This time, he raced into the end zone from 30 yards before soaking up the celebrations with his teammates.
The Browns so nearly responded with a chaotic touchdown of their own towards the end of a crazy first quarter.
Watson’s opposite number Kenny Pickett had already thrown an interception of his own when he later found Gunner Olszewski.
But the wide receiver fumbled the ball after being hit by Denzel Ward. Grant Delpit collected it and ran towards the end zone. But he then spilt the ball. It was collected by teammate Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who lost possession moments later.
The ball cannonned off Steelers’ Najee Harris, towards Browns defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II and eventually off the field.