Patriots to Run Football Clinic For Children of Military Families
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FOXBORO — New England Patriots long snapper, and U.S. Naval Reserve Lieutenant Joe Cardona will be taking a contingent of present and ex-Pats to Southern New England to express their appreciation for the sacrifices contributions made by our Nation’s military families.
The New England Patriots Foundation and military cornerstone partner, Cross Insurance, are teaming up to lead an exclusive football clinic at Naval Station Newport in Newport, R.I. on Wed. April 12.
With April having been designated as the Month of the Military Child, Cardona — along with Pats reserve offensive lineman Kody Russey, as well as several current and former Patriots players — will conduct the clinic for children of servicemen and women to honor the military for their dedication.
Children ages seven to 14 will have the opportunity to be a part of the football clinic and learn from players about the importance of exercise. Servicemen and women will also be in attendance.
For Cardona, the return to Rhode Island will be a pseudo-homecoming. A native of San Diego, California, the 30-year-old attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island, for one year before enrolling in the United States Naval Academy. At Navy, he was a four-year starter in football as a long snapper, where he was not charged with a single bad snap. 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.
In 2015, the Patriots selected Cardona in the fifth round (166th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft, making him the fourth pure long snapper to be drafted in NFL history. He was also the second drafted by the Patriots, who selected Jacob Ingram in the sixth-round in 2009. He was a member of two Patriots’ Super Bowl Championship teams (LI, LIII), and was chosen to the New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team.
Cardona had been a pillar of durability since joinin the team in 2015. However, he suffered a torn tendon in his foot which prematurely ended is 2022 season. In spite of his injury, he signed a four-year contract in the offseason to return to the Patriots.
Russey, 24, joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in the wake of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in each of New England’s preseason games, yet did not start in any of them. Though he was released during final roster cuts, the former Houston Cougar signed with the team’s practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for the Pats matchups with the New York Jets (Oct. 30) and Indianapolis Colts (Nov. 6), but did not see any in-game action in either contest. Russey was signed to the active roster on November 8, and remained there the rest of the season as a healthy inactive.
New England’s connection to the Armed Forces has been well documented. Coach Bill Belichick has had close ties to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, as well as the surrounding areas— having grown up in close proximity to the school’s campus. His father, Steve, was an assistant coach and scout at the Naval Academy for over 30 years, retiring in 1989.
The clinic is being conducted in accordance with the NFL’s Salute To Service campaign, which showcases the military appreciation work of the NFL and its teams.
The program typically takes place every November, near the time of Veterans Day.
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