Alabama Football: Here’s why Dont’a Hightower opted out of NFL season

Here’s why Alabama football’s Dont’a Hightower chose to sit out this NFL season.

Over the next week, expect a ton of decisions from NFL players in terms of the 2020-21 season. Athletes have to decide if it is worth risking the health and safety of them and their families in order to play this season. Some athletes have already decided that it is not worth it. Alabama football’s own Chance Warmack has already opted out after not playing last year. Dont’a Hightower just added his name to that list as well.

Hightower has had an incredible NFL career with the New England Patriots. He’s one of the most successful defensive players to come out of Alabama in recent memory. He’s also coming off of an exceptional year with the Pats. With his $8 million base salary on the line, many were surprised to see him opt out. However, a simple dive into the facts makes his reasoning clear.

I want to add that this is speculation. I do not have any inside sources, and I do not personally know Dont’a Hightower or his family. However, his logic seems obvious. In Adam Schefter’s tweet, he cited that Hightower had a baby this month. That tips the scale considerably. Not only is he opting to stay safe and avoid infection, but he is also essentially taking a paternity leave.

A few of Hightower’s teammates have opted out of this season as well. With no Tom Brady and a questionable future, the Patriots likely won’t be contending for a Super Bowl. If you’re going to opt out of any season of the Bill Belichick era, now makes perfect sense.

Will any other Alabama football players opt out?

There are plenty of candidates around the NFL to consider opting out of the season. However, no specific names come to mind. Everyone is in the same boat. If someone is content with their current financial situation and does not feel safe, then they can choose to opt out. If any Alabama football player opts out of the NFL season, it will likely be due to the sheer volume of players opting out.

This is not a great sign for the upcoming NFL season. However, players must do what is in their best interests, even if that means sitting out for a year.