After being selected out of Alabama with the 25th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, linebacker Dont'a Hightower played his first four pro seasons with the New England Patriots for $7,724,002. To keep Hightower from becoming a free agent, the Patriots exercised their fifth-year option on his rookie contract, paying him $7,751,000 for the 2016 season.
That season ended on Sunday with the Patriots defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in the Super Bowl, their second NFL championship in three seasons. Hightower made a pivotal defensive play in both of the Super Bowl victories.