Former New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday with an open letter in The Players’ Tribune.
The 33-year-old enjoyed a glittering nine-year career - all of it spent in Foxborough - which yielded three Super Bowl rings, two Pro Bowl appearances and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2016. And in his touching message upon announcing his retirement decision, Hightower revealed a bout of food poisoning threatened to rule him out of the Patriots’ 13-3 Super Bowl LIII victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
“That third ring?” Hightower wrote. “Just as sweet, despite dealing with food poisoning in the days leading up to the game. All I can say is, when Sunday rolled around, you already know what it is.... Do your job. Simple as that. We kept our mouths shut that whole week. The only reply was up on that scoreboard. 13–3.”
