Dont’a Hightower has no shortage of respect within the New England Patriots’ defensive huddle. And so when he started yelling on the sideline during the team’s Week 9 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, he seemed to make an impression on his teammates.
On the following drive, the Patriots managed to force a 3-and-out, which was a significant shift in what they’d allowed on the previous drives: touchdown, field goal, touchdown. The Patriots defense then forced a fumble on the following and fifth Ravens’ drive. It was quite the shift in momentum.
Surely, Hightower’s impassioned speech wan’t the only reason for the Patriots’ turnaround. But the linebacker was fired up. It’s easy to imagine that energy was contagious.
At the very least, Hightower looked ready to run through a brick wall.
