By John Ingoldsby, Player Engagement Insider
Timing is everything, and New England Patriots star Dont’a Hightower followed up his big game on Sunday with an even bigger night on Monday.
Just a day after his safety turned the tide in New England’s 35-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the linebacker hosted his second annual Monday Night Football Watch Party to benefit the American Diabetes Association.
Held at the popular Jake n JOES Sports Grille right down Route 1 from Gillette Stadium, the gala evening kicked off with Hightower, who with his 13 tackles was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career, posing for photos with every attendee as they entered the event.
This personal interaction was just part of the picture for the Tennessee native, since diabetes is a cause he cares about deeply.
“This affliction hit home for me when my mother (L’Tanya) was diagnosed with diabetes, and she is really excited since she couldn’t come last year, but is here tonight,” said the affable Alabama All-American. “My goal for this event is to raise awareness of diabetes and get people talking about it, so that perhaps they will go out and get tested.”
Mission accomplished as he not only increased visibility for the large crowd that was there, but much to their delight he also was joined by a contingent of his Patriots teammates.
That group, which also signed autographs for attendees, included linebacker Jamie Collins, safety Devin McCourty, running back Brandon Bolden, tackle Marcus Cannon, linebacker Elandon Roberts, tight end AJ Derby, cornerback Brandon King, punter Ryan Allen, defensive tackle Vincent Valentine, and safety Duron Harmon.
This team effort showed support for one of their team captains, whose penchant for big plays includes tackling Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch just short of scoring on the play before cornerback Malcolm Butler’s Super Bowl XLIIX-winning interception, and Hightower in turn transferred that support to his cause.
“The support of my teammates mean a lot, and even some in the organization who couldn’t make it tonight have made donations,” said the 6’3” 265-pounder sporting an Alabama Crimson Tide hat. “I am very excited for tonight, after our good turnout last year, but the biggest thing is not about putting my face on it, but rather promoting awareness so there is a bigger emphasis on this disease that will cause people to get tested.”
John Ingoldsby is the President and Founder of IIR Sports, Inc. a sports media firm based in Boston. He has covered the NFL throughout his career that began as a newspaper reporter/editor, which includes articles in Bloomberg BusinessWeek magazine (NFL Player Engagement), London-based Financial Times newspaper (NFL's international strategy), the Philadelphia Daily News (annual NFC Coaches Breakfast) and the Boston Globe (Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll).