{"id":101703,"date":"2025-10-02T08:59:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T08:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=101703"},"modified":"2025-10-02T08:59:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T08:59:20","slug":"%f0%9f%92%94-patriots-tragedy-a-key-new-england-piece-suffers-heartbreaking-loss-as-his-wife-passes-away-teammates-rally-in-support-fans-sharing-prayers-and-the-somber-question-is","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=101703","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udc94 PATRIOTS TRAGEDY: A key New England piece suffers heartbreaking loss as his wife passes away \u2014 teammates rally in support, fans sharing prayers, and the somber question is\u2026 how will the Patriots family help him endure this unimaginable pain?..ll"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The New England Patriots organization is in mourning this week.\u00a0 News broke that a key piece to their team tragically lost his wife.<\/p>\n

Tragically, Patriots\u2019 key member loses his wife (Breaking News)<\/h3>\n
\"Breaking:
Jan 17, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; A New England Patriots helmet sits on a table at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Denise Chong Highsmith was a beloved member of the NFL community. At the age of 61, she passed away unexpectedly:<\/p>\n

Denise was the wife of former NFL running back Alonzo Highsmith. He played from 1987-1993, suiting up for the Houston Oilers,\u00a0Dallas Cowboys,\u00a0Tampa Bay Buccaneers\u00a0and\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs. In 2012, he became a senior personnel executive for the\u00a0Green Bay Packers. That led to stints with the\u00a0Cleveland Browns\u00a0and\u00a0Seattle Seahawks. He\u2019s currently a personnel executive for the\u00a0New England Patriots.<\/p>\n

The cause of death for Highsmith\u2019s wife hasn\u2019t been announced at this time. However, a memorial service note was shared on Instagram this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of our beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend, Denise Elizabeth Highsmith,\u201d\u00a0the post read. \u201cDenise was truly one of a kind\u2014a fun, loving, and free-spirited soul who embraced everyone without judgment. She poured into the lives of others with kindness, laughter, and service, and in doing so, she found joy and fulfillment. To know her was to feel seen, loved, and uplifted.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Breaking:
Jan 31, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the Vince Lombardi trophy and the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles helmets prior to a press conference in advance of Super Bowl LII between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles at Hilton Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

As you\u2019d imagine, NFL players who worked closely with the Highsmith family are devastated by this loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cTruly a living angle walking this planet,\u201d\u00a0Minnesota Vikings\u00a0running back\u00a0Aaron Jones\u00a0said.
\n\u201cPraying for the family mama I love you and thank you for being there always checking on me and just treating me like I\u2019m one of your kids ( I am) this one messed me up. I know you\u2019re looking down protecting us from things we can\u2019t even see. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a beautiful soul and light to everyone,\u201d former NFL linebacker Christian Kirksey said. \u201cPraying God comfort and cover the family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the best matriarch\u2019s ever that led the Highsmith family. Praying for you all,\u201d one person commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cMama Dee a true light in this world. It\u2019s always hard losing someone like her because of who she was. She made us all feel seen, loved, and understood. I\u2019m so grateful for her love & her service to her community. May she rest in eternal peace and love. I love you forever Mama Dee,\u201d another person wrote.<\/p>\n

Denise recently celebrated her\u00a035th wedding anniversary with her husband.<\/p>\n

Our thoughts are with the Highsmith family during this difficult time<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Breaking:
FOXBOROUGH, MA \u2013 SEPTEMBER 17: Patriots retro Pat Patriot helmets during a game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins on September 17, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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