Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower opts out of 2020 NFL season

With the NFL season quickly approaching, players are going to have to make a decision on whether they want to risk their health and take the field during the coronavirus pandemic. Well Dont’a Hightower has already made up his mind.

The veteran Patriots linebacker announced that he will not participate in the 2020 NFL season. He had just welcomed a baby boy to the world on July 16th, and with the lack of healthy & safety measures implemented by the league, he wasn’t willing to take the chance and risk infecting his family.

“Me and my fiancée are just more concerned with the health of our family than football — especially the new addition to our family,” said Hightower.

Hightower, who was scheduled to make $8 million this season, becomes the fifth Patriots player to opt out of the 2020 campaign.