Joe Cardona (Long Snapper)
Cardona serves a patriotic double duty, as a Long Snapper for the New England Patriots and commissioned Lieutenant in the Naval Reserves. Since he arrived in New England, Cardona has been one of the most active players in the community. In 2018, Robert Kraft presented him with the Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award and recognized him for his outstanding commitment to supporting military families and veterans. In 2016, following a fire at Joint Base Cape Cod, Joe visited with military families at the base and supported a drive to help replace items lost in the fire. He also led a handful of free football clinics for military children at bases across New England. Additionally, Joe took part in Brothers of Life at Gillette Stadium. The event, hosted annually by the Krafts, invites Israeli wounded soldiers to meet with American wounded soldiers. Cardona’s commitment to supporting our nation’s military goes well beyond his community efforts. Cardona attended the Naval Academy where he was a four-year player as a long snapper. During his rookie season in the NFL, Cardona balanced a second full-time job serving as an Ensign in the Navy and a staff officer at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Rhode Island. As a service member, Cardona has performed more than a dozen re-enlistment and retirement ceremonies at Gillette Stadium. He has hosted multiple re-enlistment ceremonies, including ones held immediately after practice where he changed from his football uniform into his Navy one to lead the ceremony attended by fellow players and coaches. Cardona, who participates annually in pinning ceremonies of Vietnam veterans and Memorial Day flag planting, also coordinated an effort with his teammates and coaches to donate more than 200 tickets to military members for a Sunday night matchup. All the invitees returned from deployment within the previous six months and were welcomed onto the field by players during pregame warmups.