Link: Confirmed: Hightower gone for the year

[NYBamaFan]

Heal up, Dont'a. We will need you to repeat next year...

 

[GulfCoastTider]

At the start of next season, I expect to be reading a story in the paper about how this young man returned from his injury much sooner than expected.

DH: You are our hero. See you next year, but be sure and give Coach your ring size!

 

[Get 15]

:BigA:Good luck, Hightower!

I hate it for him and his family, but this guy will be back and he will be just fine, I have all the faith in the world in our medical staff at the Tide. Just stay positive, continue to work hard, and you'll be fine. I will miss you this year, hey who knows maybe Rolando will want to return so he can play with his sidekick next year! Call it wishful thinking!:BigA:

 

[RT3413]

He's just over the limit

I'm fairly sure there's an appeal process and I'm sure we'll file one... but that's what i thought....

 

[CrimsonBeast]

He's just over the limit

Thats what I thought but the article said that Ua was trying to obtain one but, I don't know. This is just very sad news

 

[dave12]

My prayers go out to him for a speedy, and full recovery. He'll be missed.

RTR:biga2:

 

[NYBamaFan]

Can't be true. Paperwasp told me he would be fine.

Now, now - he was just trying to help...

 

[Dakotatider]

Who is Don'ta getting surgery from... Hopefully not Less fowlup. Is Les Fowler part of of the team at all. God help us if he does not use James andrews.

 

[2003TIDE]

Can't be true. Paperwasp told me he would be fine.

Well he was kinda right. I'm sure the x-ray WAS negative. Now the MRI that's another story.

 

[PaulD]

I'm not sure. According to the NCAA Rules (14.2.4), you can apply for a hardship waiver and get an additional year of competition if the athlete hasn't competed in more than the greater of three games or 30 percent of the regular season schedule. 30% of a 12-game schedule is 3.6 games and the rules say you round to the next whole number or 4 games. He should be eligible.

 

[NYBamaFan]

Well he was kinda right. I'm sure the x-ray WAS negative. Now the MRI that's another story.

And he said it was a sprain. Well, a tear is a sprain...

 

[JonClaudeVanHam]

Hate to hear that for bama, you guys did fine without him against us though, but I know he is a big deal.

 

[Bama Fan N TN]

All the best Dont'a .. You will be in my prayers I hope you have a speedy recovery

 

[BAMAHD]

Like everyone else i hate it for the young man, He is truly a good one! He is a workhorse and team leader so i expect him back ahead of schedule and ready to be the centerpiece of next years rebuilt defense. This year we can plug in a few young inexperienced players with a veteran defense, next year we won't have that luxury.

 

[deliveryman35]

I hate it for Donta. But he'll be back, eventually. Thankfully we 've got some depth now and, on the bright side, an opportunity for someone else has opened up.

BTW, if we move Reamer over to jack( or whatever other adjustment is made), then who do most of you think ultimately gets to be a new 11th starter on D?

 

[TIDE-HSV]

And he said it was a sprain. Well, a tear is a sprain...

Well... Not really. A sprain is usually a stretch or, maybe a partial tear. It doesn't really encompass a complete ACL and MCL tear, which is what DH had. It doesn't excuse a total BS post along the lines of the original "Dont'a just had a sprained knee" thread...

 

[AngryEwok]

I'm sorry if this has already been asked, but will he be able to get a Medical Redshirt?!

 

[crimsonaudio]

He's just over the limit

There's about zero chance he'd stay past his junior year anyway - I highly doubt a redshirt will change anything. He's NFL ready right now.

 

[AngryEwok]

Ugh, this is just heart breakin'...

 

[Bama Greg]

OK, TideSports and others here say it was a legal block, I still question the validity of that, when a person goes for the knee, in my opinion, it is a cheap, dirty block.

With that said, it is over and done, I am at a loss for words for this young man and his family. He is such a great kid per Coach Saban, a hard worker, team player, I read where he was telling players that he was fine, he would be back, even though he had been told otherwise. Can you believe how fortunate we are to have the caliber of young men that we have wearing that Crimson Jersey?

I just pray that all goes well with Don'ta's surgery and he recovers and rehabs and comes back stronger than ever. At least he can be another coach for us, and I am sure his teammates will pick up the slack and we will hopefully be as good, only time will tell.

Don'ta, take care, my prayers are with you, your family and the Doctors involved in your surgery and ensuing rehab, thank you for your leadership on and off the field, and Godspeed for a quick recovery.

Bama Greg