The NFL community is mourning the loss of Denise Elizabeth Chong Highsmith, the longtime wife of former running back and current New England Patriots executive Alonzo Highsmith.
A memorial post shared to her Instagram on Tuesday, September 30, described her as “truly one of a kind—a fun, loving, and free-spirited soul who embraced everyone without judgment.”
The tribute continued, “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.”
Friends and colleagues echoed those words in the days following her passing. According to The New York Post, Monica Taylor, wife of Hurricanes defensive line coach and Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, wrote on her Instagram Story, “So grateful to have shared such great memories together! She was a light to everyone around her. We will miss you so much, Denise!”
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones also honored her memory, calling her “a living angel walking this planet” and thanking her for always treating him like family.
According to the memorial flyer posted online, Denise died “unexpectedly” at the age of 61. The family did not share a cause of death. She and Alonzo recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in June. The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, which inducted Highsmith in 1997, confirmed her passing in a statement on Facebook.
Alonzo, 60, has not spoken publicly about his wife’s death. Currently a senior personnel executive with the Patriots, he has spent more than a decade shaping rosters across the league. His son, A.J. Highsmith, joined the Patriots earlier this year as the team’s director of pro scouting, continuing the family’s deep ties to the game.
Alonzo’s own football journey began as a star fullback for the University of Miami Hurricanes from 1983 to 1986. Drafted third overall by the Houston Oilers in 1987, he went on to play five seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After retiring from the field, he transitioned into front office roles with the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Seattle Seahawks before returning to his alma mater as general manager of football operations in 2022.