Ninkovich Retires From Pro Football

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Rob Ninkovich, the Lincoln-Way Central High School graduate who arrived in New England with little fanfare only to become a linchpin of two Super Bowl champion teams over eight seasons, announced his retirement from pro football Sunday.

The news came as a surprise. The 33-year-old Ninkovich, who was born in Blue Island, entered the league as a fifth-round pick with New Orleans in 2006, but only played a handful of games until landing with New England in 2009. He instantly became a fan and coaching favorite with his ability to get to the quarterback.

Ninkovich, whose family moved from Blue Island to New Lenox when he was in the seventh grade, played high school football at Lincoln-Way East for two seasons before transferring to Lincoln-Way Central, where he closed out his prep career in 2002. He played defensive end on defense and fullback and tight end on offense. He played at Joliet Junior College for two seasons and won a NJCAA national championship before finishing his collegiate career at Purdue University, where he was on the Boilermakers’ defensive line.

"It wasn’t an easy decision but after 11 years, it’s time to walk away and move into the next phase of my life," Ninkovich said. "It's been such a blessing and a heck of a run. I’m so grateful for the Patriots organization."

Ninkovich's NFL bio notes that his father, an ironworker, took him to work on construction sites one summer early in his college career to help motivate him to succeed in college.

With his teammates and team ownership present for his announcement Sunday, head coach Bill Belichick called Ninkovich the most selfless player he's ever coached.

"Personally, I can’t thank you enough for your contributions to the team and organization," Belichick said. "You’ve earned every single thing you’ve gotten. No one gave you anything, you earned everything."

"It was great growing up here. It was tough sometimes because it was just corn, but it grew and grew," he said at the board meeting.

The same could be said for his career. He wasn't recruited out of high school and his early days in the NFL were unremarkable. He found his way to the Patriots after three seasons with the Saints and Miami Dolphins.

Ninkovich, a two-time team captain, was a versatile linebacker-turned defensive lineman. He started more than 100 games for New England, including 16 playoff games and three Super Bowl games, and was an important part of the Super Bowl-winning teams that beat Seattle and Atlanta.

Team owner Robert Kraft said Ninkovich's 14 fumble recovers in the past seven seasons was the most in the league. He was the first Patriots player since Andre Tippett to record eight sacks in three seasons. In the past 20 years, only Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, and Jason Taylor matched the 46 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries, and five interceptions he recorded as a Patriot.

Also on Patch: Rob Ninkovich: Ranking the Highlights of Our Super Bowl Star

Even with his success, Ninkovich never forgot where he came from or the people back home. He came back to Lincoln-Way in 2015 and lent his celebrity to help raise money for a pet rescue.

Ninkovich had been absent from training camp all week, with Coach Belichick saying it was due to personal reasons. Ninkovich served a four-game suspension to begin last season due to testing positive for a banned supplement. Ninkovich said the test was due to an over-the-counter supplement.

By Dan Libon and Mike Carraggi, with contributions by Tim Moran

Photo Credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images