Patriots Cardona Finalist for Military Service Award

Cardona’s journey began at the United States Naval Academy, where he spent four years as the starting long snapper for the Midshipmen. In 2015, the Patriots selected him 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. Cardona has played in 144 games for New England. He was a member of two Patriots’ Super Bowl Championship teams (LI, LIII), and was chosen to the New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team.

The 31-year-old’s contributions to the U.S. Navy have arguably been more impressive than those taking place on the gridiron. During his rookie season in New England, the San Diego native balanced a second full-time job as an Ensign in the Navy, requiring long hours during the team’s respites from practice. In 2017, he earned a promotion to lieutenant junior grade (LTJG). As a junior officer of Maritime Security Squadron 8, Cardona, currently oversees the logistical needs of 500 sailors. This offseason, he deployed with his unit to Djibouti, Africa. Joe recently joined the board of the Military Family Advisory Network, a nonprofit organization that provides vital support to military families facing hardships. 

Cardona is also a strong presence in the community. Following a fire at Joint Base Cape Cod, he personally visited with affected military families, while leading a toy collection drive to help replace items lost in the inferno. Additionally, he took the time to lead several free football clinics for military children at various bases across New England, including Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Mass. and Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. Cardona has personally delivered new bicycles to military families and helped complete a new home for a wounded veteran. 

As a military representative of the Patriots, Cardona has actively participated in the Brothers of Life at Gillette Stadium, an annual gathering hosted by the Kraft family, which brings together wounded Israeli soldiers and American counterparts. Due to his status as an active service member, he has presided over more than a dozen re-enlistment and retirement ceremonies held at Gillette Stadium. In fact, Cardona was promoted to Lieutenant in such a ceremony on June 7, 2019, the day following the 75th anniversary of the Normandy (D-Day) invasion of World War II.

Fans were able to vote for their favorite Salute to Service nominees again this year. As such, the finalists were ultimately decided based on a consensus vote of fans, an NFL internal committee and USAA. Nominees were also evaluated on the positive impact of their efforts to support the military community, the type of service conducted, the thoroughness of their support and the level of commitment.

A panel of judges, consisting of representatives from the U.S. military community, the NFL and USAA, will ultimately determine this season’s recipient — who will be recognized at NFL Honors, a primetime awards special on Feb. 8 at the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas.