EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 21: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dont'a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots in action against Le'Veon Bell #26 of the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 33-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Entering his ninth season in the NFL, New England Patriots inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower remains the glue that holds the defense all together.
It’s sort of strange to think that Dont’a Hightower has only been in the league for eight years.
Make no mistake, that’s a very long time in NFL years — especially considering the average career length for most NFL players is just over three years.