Dont'a Hightower was clutch in the Patriots last three Super Bowl wins. On Tuesday, he announced his retirement.

Dont'a Hightower did not play in the NFL last season, but he never officially closed the door on his playing career. That changed on Tuesday, when the 33-year-old announced his retirement from the NFL.

Dont'a Hightower is calling it a career. After sitting out of the 2022 season, the New England Patriots linebacker officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after playing nine seasons in the league.

The longtime New England Patriots linebacker who won three Super Bowl rings with the franchise announced his retirement on Tuesday with a piece in The Player’s Tribune. He had not played since the 2021 season after his last contract with the Patriots expired in March of 2022.

New England Patriots legendary linebacker Dont’a Hightower is officially hanging up the cleats and calling it a career after sitting on the sidelines for the 2022 season. The former All-Pro defensive standout delivered a thank you letter to the Patriots when announcing his retirement in an article for The Players’ Tribune.

Hightower, who hadn't played since the 2021 season, was a key part of the Patriots' three most recent Super Bowl wins.