Hightower Will Wear #54

Dont'a Hightower is unable to wear his practice number #45 or his college number #30 because of the NFL rules that dictate that LBs must wear a number in the 50s or the 90s.  It is now being reported that Dont'a Hightower will invert his digits and wear #54.

You may recall that #54 was worn last year by veteran OL Brian Waters, and this move may not be good news for a Brian Waters return this year.  No one seems to have any information on Waters, as he and the team are playing their cards close to the vest.  This doesn't rule out the possibility of a return, but it seems to make it less likely.

Also, you may recall that #54 was worn by a guy by the name of Tedy Bruschi.  He was a pretty good player, I think we can agree.  His number is not technically retired by the team, and Bruschi is on record saying that he doesn't think that numbers should be retired at all.  He knows that his legacy flows through #54, and he doesn't think that making the number "off limits" would make his legacy any greater.  I have not seen any official reports of Hightower talking to Bruschi about his number, but I am willing to bet that Bruschi was not surprised.

Bruschi most likely signed off on this move, and by doing so, approves of Hightower as his successor.  We in New England have high hopes for Dont'a, and we can only hope that #54 rubs a little magic on his career.