How many years did Dont'a Hightower play in the NFL? Looking back at Patriots icon’s career
On Tuesday morning, New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower announced that he is retiring from the NFL after 10 seasons.
The announcement came in an article he wrote in The Player's Tribune. Hightower stated that although it's sad to walk away from the game, he believes that he is very happy with the way that his NFL story played out.
“Today, I am officially retiring from the NFL. 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?”
3x Super Bowl Champion LB Dont'a Hightower announces his retirement after 11 years in the NFL. https://t.co/wXGI9nfucT
Hightower was selected by the New England Patriots with the 25th overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft out of the University of Alabama. He played 10 seasons with the Patriots until his contract expired in March 2022, and didn't feature in the last season.
Dont'a Hightower Super Bowl rings tally
During his decade-long career with the New England Patriots, Dont'a Hightower won three Super Bowl titles. While the two-time All-Pro had some iconic moments throughout his career, some of his biggest came in Super Bowl appearances.
In Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks, it was Hightower who stopped running back Marshawn Lynch at the one-yard line. It ended up as one of the most talked about decision-making in NFL history by Pete Carroll.
In Super Bowl LI, against the Atlanta Falcons, the Patriots staged a massive comeback after going down 28-3. The linebacker caused quarterback Matt Ryan to fumble at Atlanta's 25-yard line with under 10 minutes remaining in regulation. This helped lead the Patriots to scoring another touchdown and eventually typing the game and winning in overtime.
A 25-point comeback is incredibly improbable, but Dont’a Hightower is responsible for a forced fumble that started to make it seem like the Patriots had a chance to pull it off.
Heckuva 10-year career for Hightower as a 3X champion.
https://t.co/DZD1PBEWqP
During the Patriots' Super Bowl LIII win, the linebacker recorded three quarterback hits, two sacks and one pass breakup. The Patriots made the playoffs in each season that he was with the team. In 2020 when he chose to opt-out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Patriots were 7-9 and failed to make the playoffs.
Dont'a Hightower net worth in 2023
The initial contract that the three-time Super Bowl champion signed was for four years and was worth $7.72 million. In 2015, the New England Patriots picked up the fifth year option on his contract that was worth $7.751 million.
One of the more underrated plays in Patriots history?
Dont'a Hightower (with a torn labrum) managing to bring down Marshawn Lynch at the 1-yard line in Super Bowl XLIX.
Set the stage for Malcolm Butler’s heroics. https://t.co/3Awt4GLpjz
In 2017, Dont'a Hightower signed a contract extension with the Patriots for four years that was worth $35.5 million contract and included $17 million guaranteed and a $10 million singing bonus.His net worth is estimated at about $50 million.