New England Patriots long linebacker and U.S. Navy SEAL Joe Cardona has been selected as one of three finalists for USAA’s 13th annual Salute to Service Award.Cardona, whose selection was announced by NFL Communications on Tuesday, was one of 32 prospects for the NFL team.
This included active and retired players, coaches, team leaders and staff who provided outstanding support to the military community. This year, he shared the honor with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Jones and San Francisco 49ers quarterback George Kittle.
Cardona’s journey began at the United States Naval Academy, where he spent four years as the starting 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 all-time long snapper in NFL history. He was also the Patriots’ second pick in the sixth round in 2009, taking Jacob Ingram. Cardona appeared in 144 games for New England. He was a member of two of the Patriots’ Super Bowl championship teams (LI, LIII) and was named to the New England Patriots’ All-Dynasty Team.
The 31-year-old’s contributions to the US Navy were arguably more impressive than his contributions on the field. During his rookie season in New England, the San Diego native balanced a second full-time job as a Navy junior that required long hours during team breaks during practices. In 2017, he was promoted to lieutenant (LTJG). As a petty officer with Marine Security Squadron 8, Cardona currently oversees the logistical needs of 500 sailors. During the offseason, he was sent with his unit to Djibouti, Africa.
Recently, Joe joined the board of directors of the Military Family Counseling Network, a non-profit organization that provides critical support to military families in need. Cardona also has a strong presence in the community. After a fire broke out at Joint Base Cape Cod, he visited directly with affected military families while holding a toy drive to help replace items lost in the inferno.
He also spent time running several free soccer clinics for military children at various bases in New England, including Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts and Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. Cardona personally delivered new bicycles to military families and helped complete a new home for wounded veterans.
As the Patriots’ military representative, Cardona was actively involved in Brothers of Life at Gillette Stadium, an annual gathering hosted by the Kraft family that reunites wounded Israeli and American soldiers. Due to his active membership status, he has presided over over a dozen re-enlistment and retirement ceremonies held at Gillette Stadium. Cardona was promoted to lieutenant in a similar ceremony on June 7, 2019, the day after the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy in World War II.
Fans were once again able to vote for their favorite Salute to Service nominees this year. As such, the finalists were decided by a consensus vote of fans, the NFL and USAA subcommittees. Nominees were also evaluated on the positive impact of their efforts to support the military community, types of services provided, depth of support and level of commitment.
A panel of judges made up of representatives from the US Army Association, the NFL and USAA will ultimately decide this season’s winner. 8 at the Resorts World Theater in Las Vegas.This article first appeared on FanNation Patriot Maven and is published with permission.
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