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About the Author: Jon Ledyard
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Bucs QB Tom Brady has a lot of friends left in New England, which should make October 3rd even more entertaining. That’s when Brady returns to Gillette Stadium to face his old team and plenty of those familiar faces in Week 4. One of those faces will belong to LB Dont’a Hightower, who has spent every season of his eight-year career with Brady quarterbacking the Patriots.
In a recent interview with Stan Grossfeld of the Boston Globe, Hightower expressed his anticipation for the matchup with his old teammate.
“It’s going to be good to see 12 again,” the linebacker said. “I’ve been going against him in practice for so long, I’m looking forward to playing against him.”
Falcons QB Matt Ryan and Patriots OLB Dont’a Hightower – Photo by: Getty Images
For years Hightower captained the Patriots defense while Brady led the offense, and together the duo reached four Super Bowls, winning three. Hightower knows that rich past is ancient history, and he knows Brady knows it too. Don’t expect the linebacker to take it easy on his friend in Week 4.
“Oh, you mean, like, ‘soft sacking’ him?” Hightower said. “Nah, you can’t do none of that stuff with him, man. He’s trying to throw touchdowns.
“No, in between the lines, it’s football. I’m sure he wouldn’t expect anything different.”
Hightower opted out last season due to concerns about COVID-19. The two-time Pro Bowler became a first-time father on July 16 of last year, which prompted him to make the tough decision he believed was best for his family. Hightower is entering a contract year with the Patriots, and is currently slated to hit free agency around his 32nd birthday.
The Patriots will host the Bucs on Sunday Night Football on October 3.
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