Patriots Legend Dont’a Hightower Announces Retirement

Despite sitting out the 2022 season, New England Patriots legendary linebacker Dont’a Hightower has made his retirement official.

FOXBORO — For 10 seasons, veteran linebacker Dont’a Hightower was a mainstay for the New England Patriots.

He was selected by his teammates as a four-time team captain; long since cementing his place among New England’s defensive greats.

In fact, when recently asked about which current Patriots’ defenders might be in line to eventually fill his cleats, coach Bill Belichick responded:

“It's a stretch to compare almost anybody to Hightower … You're talking about one of the best linebackers that's ever played here.”

Though he spent the 2022 season away from the football field, Hightower made his retirement official on Tuesday, having penned a heartfelt ‘farewell story’ in the The Player’s Tribune to formally announce his decision. 

“Today, I am officially retiring from the NFL,” he wrote. “I know these announcements always feel bittersweet, but I can’t think of a better story than the one I wrote in New England. A decade, three Super Bowls, two Pro Bowls, and the birth of my son — all playing for one franchise. How many guys have a story like that?”

Hightower has been an essential part of the Patriots’ defense ever since his arrival in 2012 as a Patriots’ first-round draft selection (25 overall) out of the University of Alabama. He was not only a prolific linebacker, but also a director of action on the field, alongside recently-retired team captain Devin McCourty. He was also one of the most respected leaders in the Patriots locker room.

During his tenure in New England, Hightower earned a second-team All-Pro selection in 2016, along with two Pro Bowl nods (2016, 2019) and selections on both the New England Patriots All-2010s Team and the franchise’s All-Dynasty team. 

For his numerous on-field accomplishments, Hightower’s legend largely stemmed from his prowess in the postseason. He played an integral role on each of the Patriots three Super Bowl championship teams (XLIX, LI, LIII) during the 2010’s — with arguably his most famous moment coming on a late second-half strip-sack of Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan to spark an improbable 34-28 comeback in Super Bowl LI. 

Following a one-year hiatus in 2020 [via COVID-19 opt-out], Hightower returned to reprise his role as a team leader and solid presence in the middle of New England’s defense. He appeared in 16 of 18 possible games and saw the field for 59.8 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps. Despite some struggles throughout the season, Hightower showed that he was still capable of being an effective player, finishing the season with 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks, primarily playing on early downs and defending against the run.

Instead, Hightower has decided that his on-field journey in pro football has come to an end. 

In total, he appeared in a combined 134 regular season and playoff games, and registered 650 combined tackles as well as 30 sacks, six fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.

However, the indelible mark he leaves on the only professional franchise for which he has played will certainly earn him a spot in the Patriots Hall of Fame in due time.  

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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