Longtime linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who spent his entire career with the New England Patriots, has officially announced his retirement and ends his career as a member of the only team he has ever played for.
“I can’t think of a better story than the one I wrote in New England,” Hightower said in his announcement post issued on The Players’ Tribune. “So this is a happy day for me … Today, I’m totally at peace knowing that I gave this franchise every ounce of sweat I had left.”
“I appreciate everyone who helped me make this dream come true,” Hightower said. “But I especially want to thank my mom [L’Tanya]. None of this happens without her.”
Hightower, 33, played in 117 regular-season games (114 starts) and totaled 569 tackles and 27 sacks and was considered one of the hardest hitting linebackers in the league, appearing in 17 playoff games, starting all of them, amassing 81 tackles and three sacks.
Hightower joined the Patriots as a first-round draft pick back in 2012.
