For younger players, getting the chance to meet, or play against someone they grew up rooting for is a surreal moment. In the NBA, it was guys such as the late Kobe Bryant getting to play against Michael Jordan, who many regard as the best basketball player to ever do it. This Sunday, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith will get that chance when he lines up on defense across from a quarterback who many regard as the best to ever do it in Tampa’s Tom Brady.
Obviously growing up in North Carolina and playing at the University of Charlotte, one would be safe to assume Highsmith might’ve been a Panthers fan growing up, which was indeed the case.