dont'a hightower.jpg

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower knocks the ball away from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston.

(AP Photo)

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower received the Spirit Award during the annual Sports Spectacular in Los Angeles on Monday night for his work against diabetes.

Sports Spectacular has raised more than $25 million to support the Medical Genetics Institute and the Sports Spectacular Diabetes and Obesity Wellness and Research Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

"Three years ago whenever I started to try to promote awareness of diabetes, I didn't expect to be here," Hightower said on Monday night. "I didn't expect to anywhere remotely close to this, but it's a big honor to be here."

Hightower took up the fight against diabetes after his mother, L'Tanya, was diagnosed with the disease.

"Just to get somebody out and if they get tested or just think about it in a different way, we could help them and keep them from getting diabetes," Hightower said last year. "Getting that awareness out there really means a lot to me."

Hightower has hosted a Monday Night Football Watch Party the past two seasons as a benefit for the American Diabetes Association, and he's been a part of Team Tackle at the American Diabetes Association's Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, speaking to members of Congress in hopes of gaining support for funding for diabetes research and programs.

Hightower was one of the many sports stars and celebrities who attended Monday night's annual fundraiser. He was presented the award by Chris Paul and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Recognizing one of the best on and off the field. Thank you @zeus30hightower for spreading the word #BeSpectacular pic.twitter.com/9ZZsmdGvs0 — Sports Spectacular (@sportsspec) April 4, 2017

"I think it says a lot for what I'm trying to do and a lot of athletes and a lot of guys here and what they're trying to do in the community and in the public," Hightower said, "and to know that we're not just athletes and we do care outside of football."

Hightower entered the NFL as the 25th player picked in the 2012 draft after earning consensus All-American honors for Alabama's 2011 BCS national-championship team.

Hightower helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl to cap the 2014 and 2016 seasons. Last year, Hightower earned his first Pro Bowl invitation.

Hightower signed a four-year contract that could be worth up to $43.5 million last month to stay with the Patriots.

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