Kraft was impressed with how Hightower speaks of his mother.
Dont'a Hightower and Robert Kraft join Gresh and Zo on 98.5 The Sports Hub Friday afternoon.FOXBOROUGH – It’s not often that the New England Patriots trade up for a player in the first round of the draft.
The last time it happened before Thursday night – the team traded up for both for both defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Dont’a Hightower -- was in 2003 when New England moved up to draft defensive lineman Ty Warren.
Both Jones and Hightower have outstanding measurables that should help them make a strong impact on the field, but it was Hightower’s character that made him most appealing to owner Robert Kraft.
“Dont'a, welcome. It's great to have you as a Patriot," Kraft said to Hightower during a phone call to welcome him, which can be seen in a video posted on Patriots.com. "I know you were captain of the (Alabama Crimson Tide) for two years.
“What I love in reading reports about you is how respectful you are of your mother. It really means a lot. It says something about the kind of guy you are. I know that (Alabama) coach (Nick) Saban praised you. So we're excited to have you up here. We don't trade up too often. So I look forward to meeting you and seeing you here."
Hightower and Kraft met up shortly after the linebacker arrived in Foxborough Friday afternoon and appeared together for an interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub. He and Jones will be introduced at Gillette Stadium tonight at 6 p.m.