THE New England Patriots said goodbye to a franchise legend who balanced Super Bowls with the military.
The team released the last remaining member of their Super Bowl dynasty this week.
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Joe Cordona, 33, had been on the team since he was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The long snapper has balanced his pro football career with being in the Navy.
He was part of the Patriots side that went to three straight Super Bowls between 2016 and 2018.
New England won Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas and Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Georgia.
In his early days in the pros, Cardona worked 24-hour shifts as a Command Duty Officer.
He was promoted to a lieutenant in 2019.
And there was a special ceremony held at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts to mark the promotion.
Cardona spent four years playing college football for the Navy Midshipmen before the pros.
He revealed the grueling life of playing for the team while in the Naval Academy.
“Wake up about 6.45 and get to formation,” he said.
“The uniform has to look good. Formation’s at 7.
“Head straight to breakfast and pretty much heading straight to class after that.
“Class until about noon, eat a quick lunch – in and out in about 10-15 minutes – and head to either meetings or workouts at lunch. Specialists have workouts, position players have meetings.
“Then head back to class after the workout for an hour or two and then head straight back over to the facilities to get ready for practice.
“Practice just like any other team out there for two hours or so and then eat a quick dinner after that and head straight up for homework.
“So it’s a busy day here at the Naval Academy but I’m sure it’s not that much different than any other school out there.”
The 33-year-old won the NFL’s Salute to Service award in February 2024.
He was named a Patriots captain for the first time in his career for the 2024 season.
And Cardona is a member of the New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team.
He played 157 games during his career in New England as part of one of the greatest dynasties sports has ever seen.