Former Alabama, New England Patriots star Dont'a Hightower retires after nine NFL seasons

Former Marshall County, Alabama and New England Patriots star Dont'a Hightower announced his retirement from the NFL after nine seasons in the league.

Hightower announced his retirement Tuesday through The Player's Tribune.

The three-time Super Bowl champion expressed contentment with his decision.

"Today, I am officially retiring from the NFL," He wrote in the Tribune. "I know these announcements always feel bittersweet, but I can’t think of a better story than the one I wrote in New England."

DONT'A HIGHTOWERPatriots linebacker, a Marshall County graduate, to opt out of 2020 season

"So this is a happy day for me, and I just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate you embracing a southern kid from Lewisburg, Tennessee."

The 33-year-old, who starred at Marshall County, didn't play during the 2022 season but had 114 starts in 117 career games with 569 total tackles and 27 sacks. He also played in 81 career playoff games and won Super Bowls with the Patriots in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Hightower opted out of the 2020 season because of COVID concerns. The veteran linebacker welcomed a new child to his family and wanted to focus on the health of safety of his family at the time.

He was the 25th pick of the first-round during the 2012 NFL Draft and played all nine seasons in New England with head coach Bill Belichick. He was instrumental in helping the Patriots secure Super Bowl wins against Seattle (XLIX) and Atlanta (LI).

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound standout was named All Pro in 2016 and is a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2016 and 2019). He was also named to the Patriots' All 2010's Team and organization's All Dynasty Team. After testing free agency he re-signed with the Patriots on a four-year contract for $43.5 million in 2017, eventually helping to lead the Patriots to a 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII — the sixth for the franchise and last with Tom Brady.

"Today, I’m totally at peace knowing that I gave this franchise every ounce of sweat I had left," Hightower said.

Hightower, a 2008 Marshall County graduate, won the Tennessee Titans Class 3A Mr. Football award his senior year and was The Tennessean's Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a member of The Tennessean's "Dream Team."

He won two BCS national championships with the Crimson Tide in 2009 and 2011 and was named First Team All SEC and All American in 2011.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.