Joe Cardona Explained

Joe Cardona
Current Team:New England Patriots
Number:49
Position:Long snapper
Birth Date:16 April 1992
Birth Place:San Diego, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lbs:245
High School:Granite Hills
(El Cajon, California)
College:Navy (2011–2014)
Draftyear:2015
Draftround:5
Draftpick:166
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:144
Statlabel2:Total tackles
Statvalue2:16
Pfr:CardJo00

Joseph Cardona (;[1] born April 16, 1992) is an American professional football player who is a long snapper for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Cardona is also an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve[2] holding the rank of Lieutenant.[3]

Cardona was drafted in the fifth round (166th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.[4] He played college football for Navy. He is only the fourth player designated as a long snapper ever to be drafted, and the second highest-drafted long snapper in NFL history, after Ryan Pontbriand.[5] With the Patriots, he won Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII.

Early life

Cardona grew up in El Cajon, California, the son of Patrick and Margaret Cardona, and is of Mexican heritage. Joe has two older siblings Arthur and Adrienne Hernandez, and one younger sister Sophia Cardona. He attended Granite Hills High School, lettering two years in football and four years in lacrosse, earning conference lacrosse MVP as a senior. He graduated in 2010.[6]

College career

After high school, Cardona attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island, for one year before enrolling in the Naval Academy, where he majored in economics.[6] At Navy, he was a four-year starter in football as a long snapper, where he was not charged with a single bad snap.[7] During his four years at Navy, the Midshipmen compiled a 30–21 record, including four wins over arch-rival Army, and played in three bowl games.[8]

Professional career

On May 2, 2015, the New England Patriots selected Cardona in the fifth round (166th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft,[9] making him the fourth pure long snapper to be drafted in NFL history (and the second drafted by the Patriots, after Jake Ingram).[5] His Naval assignment was delayed until after the 2015 NFL season so that he would be able to play in the NFL.[10] The Patriots officially signed Cardona to his rookie contract on June 4, 2015.[11] The structure of his contract is unusual, reflecting the uncertainty of his availability in future seasons. The signing bonus of $100,000 is less than the expected bonus of about $190,000 expected for his draft slot, but he can earn $100,000 in roster bonuses if he is on the 53-man roster or an injury list at any point in 2015, 2016, and 2017 seasons.[12]

On Thursday, September 10, in the NFL's opening game of the 2015 season, Cardona made his official debut as a long snapper in the Patriots' 28–21 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.[13]

On May 13, 2016, United States Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus approved Cardona's request (and the request of Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Keenan Reynolds) to play in the NFL for the 2016 season.[14]

For the second consecutive season, Cardona played in all 16 games for the Patriots. He was part of both Patriots' playoff wins, and went on to play in Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017. He was a contributor to the Patriots as they defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.[15] [16] Cardona had an active role in the game on seven special teams plays.[17]

In 2017 Cardona was part of both Patriots' playoff wins, and went on to play in Super Bowl LII on February 4, 2018. The Patriots failed to repeat as Super Bowl champions after losing 41–33 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

On June 14, 2018, Cardona signed a four-year contract extension with the Patriots.[18] The Patriots reached Super Bowl LIII where they beat the Los Angeles Rams 13–3.[19]

On December 20, 2022, it was announced that Cardona would miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn tendon in his foot. He had suffered a partial tear in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals, and further injured it in Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders.[20] The injury additionally broke a streak of 140 consecutive games (127 regular–season games) started by Cardona since he was drafted in 2015.[21]

On March 21, 2023, Cardona re-signed with the Patriots on another four-year contract extension worth $6.3 million, making him the highest-paid long snapper.[22]

On February 7, 2024, Cardona was announced as the recipient of the 13th Annual Salute to Service Award.[23]

Military career

Serviceyears:2015–present
Rank:Lieutenant

During his rookie season, Cardona spent his off days working a 24-hour shift as Command Duty Officer at the Naval Academy Preparatory School.[24]

On June 7, 2019, Cardona was promoted to lieutenant in a ceremony at Gillette Stadium.[25]

As an active member of the Navy Reserve, Cardona currently serves as department head of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Eight, based at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. In this role, Cardona oversees the logistical needs of 500 sailors across the Eastern Seaboard.[26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pronunciation: Joe Cardona. September 3, 2020. www.patriots.com. en-US. April 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415043059/https://www.patriots.com/video/pronunciation-joe-cardona. live.
  2. Web site: After transition to reserves, Navy's Joe Cardona to be at Patriots camp. Reiss, Mike. ESPN.com. July 21, 2016. November 13, 2017. November 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171113113409/http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4793982/after-transition-to-reserves-navys-joe-cardona-to-be-at-patriots-camp. live.
  3. Web site: Yates, Field . Patriots' Cardona promoted to lieutenant in Navy . . June 6, 2019 . June 6, 2019 . June 6, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190606171532/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26911965/patriots-cardona-promoted-lieutenant-navy . live .
  4. Web site: Kyed, Doug . Patriots Draft Navy Long Snapper Joe Cardona 166th Overall In Fifth Round . . May 2, 2015 . May 2, 2012 . April 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190427090134/https://nesn.com/2015/05/patriots-draft-navy-long-snapper-joe-cardona-166th-overall-in-fifth-round/ . live .
  5. Web site: Local Joe becomes top NFL prospect. Michael. Gehlken.
  6. Web site: NAVYSPORTS.COM – The Official Web Site of Naval Academy Varsity Athletics – Joe Cardona Bio. May 5, 2015. April 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170404044831/http://www.navysports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/joe_cardona_761317.html. dead.
  7. Web site: Special situation for Navy. August 20, 2015. Capital. Gazette. August 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150822000246/http://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/navy_sports/ph-ac-cs-navy-specialists-081915-20150818-story.html. live.
  8. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/navy/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/misc_non_event/History-2014-Guide.pdf
  9. Web site: 2015 NFL Draft Listing . May 15, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en . October 22, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181022150939/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2015/draft.htm . live .
  10. Web site: ASN: Navy's Joseph Greenspan Cleared to Play for Rapids. americansoccernow.com. May 25, 2015. May 25, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150525161454/http://americansoccernow.com/articles/navy-s-joseph-greenspan-cleared-to-play-for-rapids. live.
  11. Web site: Patriots sign fifth-round draft pick LS Joe Cardona. June 4, 2015. June 4, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150607060713/http://www.patriots.com/news/2015/06/04/patriots-sign-fifth-round-draft-pick-ls-joe-cardona. June 7, 2015. dead.
  12. Web site: Inside look at New England Patriots rookie Joe Cardona's contract – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN. June 9, 2015. June 10, 2015. June 10, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150610090026/http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4782062/inside-look-at-patriots-rookie-joe-cardonas-contract-reflects-unique-situation. live.
  13. Web site: Perry's Report Card: Solid start to season for Patriots. September 15, 2015. September 15, 2015. September 16, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150916173115/http://www.csnne.com/new-england-patriots/perrys-report-card-solid-start-season-patriots-0#slide-13. live.
  14. Web site: Report: Navy approves Cardona's request to play for Patriots in 2016. CSNNE.com. Phil. Perry. May 13, 2016. May 13, 2016. May 14, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514112150/http://www.csnne.com/new-england-patriots/report-navy-approves-cardonas-request-play-patriots-2016. live.
  15. Web site: Joe Cardona Stats - Pro-Football-Reference.com. Pro-Football-Reference.com. March 31, 2018. January 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180119205321/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CardJo00.htm. live.
  16. Web site: Wesseling. Chris. New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI. NFL. February 5, 2017. February 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170206032912/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000783692/article/patriots-erase-deficit-defeat-falcons-in-super-bowl-li. live.
  17. Web site: Super Bowl LI – National Football League Game Summary. National Football League. August 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170807031311/http://www.patriots.com/sites/patriots.com/files/20170205_gamebook_v2.pdf. August 7, 2017. dead.
  18. Web site: Joe Cardona gets four-year extension with Patriots. Alper, Josh. ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. June 14, 2018. June 15, 2018. June 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615083246/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/06/14/joe-cardona-gets-four-year-extension-with-patriots/. live.
  19. Web site: Shpigel . Ben . February 4, 2019 . Patriots Win in Lowest-Scoring Super Bowl Ever . October 31, 2023 . The New York Times . en-US.
  20. Web site: Report: Joe Cardona will miss the rest of the season with a torn foot tendon. September 28, 2023. nbcsports.com. en.
  21. Web site: Season-ending injury claims Joe Cardona and his incredible NFL streak. September 28, 2023. sports.yahoo.com. en.
  22. Web site: Patriots Re-Sign LS Joe Cardona and DB Cody Davis. Patriots.com. March 21, 2023. March 21, 2023. New England Patriots. March 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230322074808/https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-re-sign-ls-joe-cardona-and-db-cody-davis. live.
  23. Web site: NFL and USAA Announce New England Patriots Long Snapper Joe Cardona as Recipient of 13th Annual Salute to Service Award . 2024-02-07 . www.patriots.com . en-US.
  24. Web site: The Double Life of Patriots Long Snapper Joe Cardona. April 26, 2021. www.vice.com. October 27, 2015. en. April 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210426193748/https://www.vice.com/en/article/pg57gk/the-double-life-of-patriots-long-snapper-joe-cardona. live.
  25. Web site: June 6, 2019. Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona gets promoted to Navy Lieutenant in front of teammates at Gillette Stadium. April 26, 2021. www.audacy.com. en. April 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210426193749/https://www.audacy.com/weei/blogs/ryan-hannable/patriots-long-snapper-joe-cardona-gets-promoted-to-navy-lieutenant-in-front-of. live.
  26. Web site: Reiss . Mike . Pats' Cardona receives Salute to Service award . ESPN.com . 7 February 2024 . en . 7 February 2024.

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