Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Qualin Dont'a Hightower was born on March 12, 1990, in Lewisburg Tennessee. He was an outside linebacker in the National Football League.

He attended Marshall County High School in Lewisburg, where he played for the Marshall County Tigers high school football team. He first drew recognition his sophomore year when the team's starting running back quit the team. In the last four games of the season, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns.

He played college football for the University of Alabama, was recognized as an All-American, and was a member of two BCS National Championship teams. He was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

On August 2, 2020, Hightower announced his intention to opt out of the 2020 season, due to concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 Hightower, who won three Super Bowl championships over his nine-year career, officially announced his retirement Tuesday March 21, 2023.