New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona (49) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass.

New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, who also holds the rank of Lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve, was selected as one of three finalists for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award.

Joe Cardona, #49 of the New England Patriots, looks on before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Joe Cardona is a patriot in more ways than one. The long snapper became one of the highest drafted at his position in NFL history when the New England Patriots selected him in the fifth round of ...

The NFL and USAA, an official NFL Salute to Service Partner, named Joe Cardona, long snapper for the New England Patriots, as the recipient of the 2023 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA.

FOXBORO -- Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona is bringing home one of the NFL's most prestigious awards. Cardona was announced as the recipient of the NFL and USAA's 2023 Salute to Service Award ...

Cardona was, as you might expect, very excited when he spoke with the New England media shortly after being drafted. Question: What are your thoughts on being drafted by the Patriots?

“I grew up in East County, a blue-collar suburb of San Diego,” Joe Cardona told me. “My dad joined the Navy out of high school,” Cardona told U.S. Navy Reserve magazine in May 2022.

Joe Cardona of the New England Patriots holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.

Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona is calling for his fellow players along with coaches and staffers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. “The NFL has taken a firm stance that will have massive ...

Joe Cardona's dad spent 24 years in the Navy. He still works on naval bases in San Diego, where Joe grew up. "Being in San Diego, you have the Marine Corps air station, Miramar," Cardona says.