Joe Cardona

BIOGRAPHY

Joseph Paul Cardona was born on April 16, 1992, in El Cajon, California. The son of Patrick and Margaret Cardona, Joseph is of Mexican heritage and has three siblings; older siblings Arthur and Adrienne Hernandez and younger sister Sophia Cardona. From a young age, Cardona demonstrated an aptitude for sports, lettering for two years in football and four in lacrosse while attending Granite Hills High School.

After his high school graduation in 2010, Cardona chose to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island. He spent a year at the preparatory school before enrolling in the Naval Academy, where he majored in economics. It was during this time that Cardona distinguished himself in football, serving as a four-year starter as a long snapper and impressing coaches and peers with his error-free performance. During Cardona’s tenure at Navy, the Midshipmen had a 30-21 record and fought to victory over arch-rival Army four times.

2015 marked a pivotal year in Cardona’s life and career. On May 2, he was selected by the New England Patriots, an NFL team, in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. This was an auspicious achievement for Cardona as he was only the fourth player to be drafted as a long snapper and the second-highest drafted in that position, the first being Ryan Pontbriand.

Cardona’s rookie contract was signed on June 4. The contract structure was noteworthy for its adaptability, due to the uncertainty of his availability across the seasons due to his naval commitments. Despite the lower than expected signing bonus of $100,000, the contract also included the potential for a further $100,000 in roster bonuses.

As a New England Patriot, Cardona was part of the team that clinched victory in Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. His official debut as a long snapper in September 2015 resulted in a 28-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over the following years, Cardona played in various games and contributed significantly to the team’s successes.

Nonetheless, the life of a professional NFL player was not without injury and disappointment. In late 2022, Cardona experienced a foot injury that led to a break in the 140 consecutive games he started since his original draft in 2015. Despite this, by March 2023, Cardona re-signed with the Patriots with a four-year contract extension making him the highest-paid long snapper.

Led by an unwavering spirit guided by responsibility and leadership, Cardona combines his career as an NFL player with his role as an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He holds the rank of Lieutenant and serves as the head of the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Eight at Naval Station Newport, overseeing the logistical needs of 500 sailors across the Eastern Seaboard.

His efforts in balancing his dual career have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, Cardona was awarded the 13th Annual Salute to Service Award. Later that year, he was named a team captain for the Patriots in that season. Throughout his journey, Cardona continues to exemplify commitment, both on the field and in the service of his nation. Despite the demands of his football career, he remains dedicated to his naval duties.