Patriots executive who lost his wife buoyed by team’s Super Bowl run

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Patriots executive who lost his wife buoyed by team’s Super Bowl run

Karen Guregian · MassLive

Mon, Jan 26, 2026 ·

2 min read

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DENVER - Alonzo Highsmith sat in the Patriots victorious locker room with a warm smile on his face.

Smiles have been tough to come by for the Patriots senior personnel executive.

Highsmith's wife, Denise, died unexpectedly in late September.

While he remains in the grieving process, the success of the team has lifted his spirits since her passing. It's given him a sense of comfort.

"She's been with me every big game of my life," Highsmith said following the Patriots 10-7 AFC Championship win over the Denver Broncos in blizzard-like conditions. "College, national championships, draft picks, and before the season, we talked about winning one more Super Bowl before I leave this business ... so it's bittersweet. But these coaches and these players have made this so special for me this year. I don't have any words for it."

Highsmith, who has been with the organization since 2024, said his wife took ill before the season opener against the LA Raiders, and never left the hospital.

He said his wife was the Patriots biggest fan, and would have loved seeing them punch their ticket to Super Bowl 60.

"She's still with me in my heart, watching from above," Highsmith said. "And, she's saying: 'Good job!'''

The winning, the success has been a godsend for him and his son A.J., who works as the team's director of pro scouting.

Highsmith is a former boxer and former NFL fullback. Prior to joining the Patriots, he's was with the Cleveland Browns and Green Packers as a personnel executive.

Highsmith talked about the culture and identity the team has formed around head coach Mike Vrabel . He talked about loving how the players "embrace" each other.

Of course Highsmith, along with Eliot Wolf, Ryan Cowden and Mike Vrabel, are responsible for putting the pieces together.

"I think the identity starts with the head coach Mike Vrabel," Highsmith said. "We just follow direct orders from there, bringing in the type of players he wants for this team. That's where it starts."

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