Long snapper Joe Cardona balances Patriotic duties

By: TOM LEYDEN 

Joe Cardona was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, a unique pick by the Patriots, who decided to draft a long snapper as opposed to signing a free agent.

Cardona, who graduated from the Naval Academy, is the only NFL player who remains active in the military. He's an ensign in the Navy and splits time between Foxboro and Newport, RI, where he works with students at the Naval Academy Prep School.

"Basically, I'm a staff officer, just helping out with the football team there and I handle odds and ends around the command," said Cardona. "Whatever's needed of me."

It's a similar expectation in Foxboro, where the most successful Patriots players have gained success through selfless sacrifice.

"It's showing up and doing your job," said Cardona. "Whether it's in the military or in football. Showing up and doing your job every single day and doing it the best you can."

Head Coach Bill Belichick has been impressed with what he's seen from Cardona during his rookie year as the former Midshipmen has balanced patriotic duties.

"I think Joe has done a real good job of that," said Belichick on Wednesday. "He’s here when he can be here and when he’s not here we know where he is. So he’s balancing those, but I think he’s done a good job of managing his time and working as hard as he can on the things he needs to improve on, which again it’s a big jump from what he did last year to what he’s doing this year and the precision, the execution and the timing and so forth. So he’s done a good job of all those things and I still think if he continues to work hard and continues to work on the things that he needs to work on, I think he’s got a real good future. But he’s improved a lot and there are still things he can continue to work on, which he is, and get better at."

On this Veteran's Day, Cardona was among many who took the time to thank those who have given their time to the Armed Forces.

"It means a great deal," said Cardona. "I take a tremendous amount of pride wearing our country's uniform as does every service member out there. Just as an American citizen, it's a great day to reflect upon the sacrifices that are made by our military and those that serve to protect us."

Cox Media Group