Tom Brady Reacts to Retirement of Ex-Teammate Dont’a Hightower

Dont’a Hightower’s retirement announcement on Tuesday meant another member of the Patriots dynasty is stepping away from the game. Hightower was a key member of three Super Bowl-winning rosters. He was named to two Pro Bowl squads and received second-team All-Pro recognition once during his decade-log NFL career.

As the NFL world is congratulating Hightower on a great career, his most famous former teammate also weighed in. Legendary quarterback Tom Brady posted a picture on his Instagram story sending congratulations Hightower’s way and praising him on his successful career.

“Clutch,” Brady wrote. “A great teammate, captain and champion. Congratulations on an amazing career.”

Although Brady is widely considered the most important player on those Patriots championship teams, Hightower made key plays in big moments on defense. Brady and Hightower played together in New England for eight seasons, and without Hightower, it’s distinctly possible that Brady could not call himself a seven-time Super Bowl champion.

Brady, Hightower and Devin McCourty, three pillars of the Patriots franchise for years, all have retired within the past few months.