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Rob Ninkovich

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Rob Ninkovich
refer to caption
Ninkovich with the Patriots in 2011
No. 50, 93
Position:Linebacker
Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1984-02-01) February 1, 1984 (age 40)
Blue Island, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school:Lincoln-Way Central (New Lenox, Illinois)
College:
NFL draft:2006 / round: 5 / pick: 135
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:460
Sacks:46.0
Forced fumbles:12
Fumble recoveries:14
Interceptions:5
Defensive touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Robert Michael Ninkovich[1] (born February 1, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker and defensive end for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers as a defensive end and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, winning two Super Bowls with the latter. After eight seasons with the Patriots, Ninkovich announced his retirement from the NFL following the 2016 season.

Early life

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Rob Ninkovich was born in Blue Island, Illinois, to a family of Croatian origin.[2][3][4] Following seventh grade, Rob's family relocated to New Lenox, Illinois. He attended Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort his freshman and sophomore year then attended Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox his junior and senior years. There, he played defensive end, tight end, and fullback.[5] Ninkovich earned All-State honors for defensive end during his senior year. He also lettered in baseball.[5]

College career

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Joliet Junior College

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Following high school, Ninkovich spent two years at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois.[5] As a freshman, he recorded 36 tackles and seven sacks as the 2002 Joliet Wolves football team won the NJCAA national championship.[6]

During the summer prior to his sophomore year, Ninkovich worked with his father, an ironworker, hanging beams on a Chicago construction site 19 stories high.[5] According to his father, the purpose was to give Rob extra incentive to complete his college education.[5]

As a sophomore at Joliet in 2003, Ninkovich earned third-team NJCAA All-America honors after recording 95 tackles (68 solo), five forced fumbles, four fumbles recovered, and a school-record 16 sacks.[6]

Purdue University

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Ninkovich transferred to Purdue in 2004 and played in all 12 games that season.[6] Despite being a reserve, Ninkovich was tied for the team lead and ranked second in the Big Ten with eight sacks.[6] In an October 2 contest against Notre Dame, Ninkovich recorded two sacks on defense and also caught a goal-line touchdown pass from Kyle Orton.[6] Against Indiana on November 20, he tied a school record with four sacks.[6]

As a senior in 2005, Ninkovich earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after recording 48 tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.[6] He recorded four sacks against Indiana for the second straight season, giving him two of the three individual four-sack performances in school history.[6] In a 37–3 victory over Illinois, he caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Curtis Painter.[6] Following the season, he was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game.[7]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+1⁄8 in
(1.91 m) 		260 lb
(118 kg) 		31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.93 s 1.69 s 2.86 s 4.18 s 6.96 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)		 9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)		 23 reps
All values from NFL Combine[8][9]

New Orleans Saints (first stint)

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2006

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The New Orleans Saints selected Ninkovich in the fifth round (135th overall) of the 2006 NFL draft.[5][10] On July 18, 2006, the Saints signed him to a three-year, $1.22 million contract.[7]

Throughout training camp, Ninkovich competed against Charles Grant, Willie Whitehead, and Eric Moore for the job as the starting defensive end.

On August 21, 2006, the New Orleans Saints lost, 30–7, to the Dallas Cowboys in their second preseason game. During the game, Ninkovich recorded two sacks and two forced fumbles but was also flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty which led to a Cowboys' touchdown.[7] He finished the preseason with three sacks. Head coach Sean Payton named Ninkovich the backup defensive end to Will Smith and Charles Grant to begin the regular season.[5]

He made his professional regular-season debut during the Saints' season-opener at the Cleveland Browns and recorded three combined tackles during their 19–14 victory.[11] On September 25, 2006, Ninkovich suffered a torn MC ligament in his knee while appearing on special teams during the Saints 23–3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.[12] On September 29, 2006, the Saints placed Ninkovich on season-ending injured reserve after he underwent surgery to repair the torn ligament.[7][5] Ninkovich finished his rookie season with four combined tackles (two solo) and a pass deflection in three games.[13]

2007

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Ninkovich saw stiff competition[citation needed] throughout training camp, competing with Josh Cooper, Anton Palepoi, Jonathan Hamm, and Willie Evans.[14]

During an afternoon practice on July 30, 2007, Ninkovich was carted off the field with a knee injury.[7] On September 6, 2007, he was waived by the New Orleans Saints as a part of their final roster cuts.[15]

Miami Dolphins

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2007

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On September 7, 2007, the Miami Dolphins claimed Ninkovich off of waivers. Head coach Cam Cameron named him the backup defensive end to Jason Taylor and Matt Roth.[16]

On September 16, 2007, Ninkovich made his Miami Dolphins' debut during their 37–20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.[17] He was inactive for four games (Weeks 4–7) and would go on to play sparingly throughout the season. He was inactive for seven more games in 2007 (Weeks 10–13 and Weeks 14–17). He finished the 2007 season with two combined tackles in four games.[18]

2008

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Head coach Cam Cameron was fired after a 1–15 season in 2007.[19] The Miami Dolphins hired Tony Sparano as their new head coach and defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni opted to switch the Dolphins' base defense from a 4–3 defense to a 3-4.[20][21] Ninkovich moved to outside linebacker due to the change.[citation needed] Throughout training camp, he competed against Charlie Anderson, Kelly Poppinga, Quentin Moses, Titus Brown, and Keith Saunders for the role of backup outside linebacker.[22]

He tied Dolphins defensive end Randy Starks with a team-high two sacks during the 2008 preseason.[23] On August 31, 2008, the Dolphins released Ninkovich. On September 3, 2008, he was signed to the Dolphins' practice squad after clearing waivers.[24]

On November 15, 2008, Ninkovich was promoted to the active roster.[25] He played against the Oakland Raiders in a reserve role on November 16 but did not record any tackles.[26]

On November 20, 2008, he was released to make room for linebacker Erik Walden. Ninkovich was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He finished the 2008 season without any tackles and appeared in only one game.[27]

New Orleans Saints (second stint)

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On December 3, 2008, the New Orleans Saints signed Ninkovich off the Dolphins' practice squad.[28] He was released on July 30, 2009, after the Saints signed long snapper Jason Kyle. Ninkovich had previously been considered as a long snapping option for the Saints in the offseason.[29]

New England Patriots

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2009

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On August 2, 2009, the New England Patriots signed Ninkovich to a one-year, $535,000 contract.[30]

He made the Patriots' 53-man roster and recorded his first NFL sack in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos. He received a contract extension through the 2011 season on November 6, 2009.[31] Overall, he played in 15 games for the Patriots in 2009, finishing with 23 tackles and one sack.[32]

2010

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Ninkovich began the 2010 season as a starter at outside linebacker. In the team's Week 4 game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football, Ninkovich recorded his first career interception, and later in the game added another interception and a sack.[33] He finished the season with a career-high 62 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions in 16 games played (10 starts).[34]

2011

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During the 2011 NFL season, Ninkovich recorded his first NFL touchdown when he intercepted a pass from New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and returned it 12 yards for the touchdown. He also had another interception earlier in the same game when he caught a pass tipped by Jerod Mayo.[35] Ninkovich had the best statistical season of his career, recording 74 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble, and three recovered fumbles while starting all 16 regular-season games.[36] During the Patriots' 2011–2012 playoff run, Ninkovich recorded five tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for a loss, and two quarterback hits against the Denver Broncos during the Divisional Round playoff game.[37] Ninkovich recorded seven tackles against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Championship.[38] On February 5, 2012, Ninkovich played in Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, but the Patriots lost the Super Bowl to the Giants, 21–17. Ninkovich recorded four tackles (three solo), 0.5 sacks, and two quarterback hits in the game. [39]

2012

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During the 2012 offseason, Ninkovich moved to defensive end; his replacement at outside linebacker was Patriots rookie Dont'a Hightower. Ninkovich had two forced fumbles in a game against the Denver Broncos and a game-ending overtime strip sack against the New York Jets.[40][41] In 2012, he started every game, and had eight sacks, one pass defended, five forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries on 58 tackles.[42]

2013

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In Week 3 of the 2013 season, Ninkovich signed a three-year contract extension, running through 2016, that included $8.5 million in bonuses and guaranteed money and totaled $15 million over its course.[43] In 2013, he started every game, recording eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries on 91 total tackles.[44]

2014

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Ninkovich set a single-game career high with three sacks in the Patriots Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills.[45] In Week 8, against the Chicago Bears, Ninkovich recovered a Jay Cutler fumble for his second career touchdown.[46] Ninkovich led the Patriots with eight sacks, his third straight year with eight sacks.[47] In the Patriots' 28–24 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, which happened to take place on his 31st birthday, Ninkovich sacked Russell Wilson once and recorded six tackles.[48]

2015

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Ninkovich started all 16 games for the Patriots in the 2015 season, recording 52 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, seven passes defended, and one forced fumble.[49]

2016

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Ninkovich tore his triceps in training camp and was expected to miss a few weeks. On September 2, 2016, Ninkovich was suspended for four games after testing positive for a banned substance.[50]

On September 5, 2016, the Patriots signed Ninkovich to a one-year contract extension through the 2017 season.[51] In the 2016 season, Ninkovich appeared in 12 games. He finished with four sacks, 32 total tackles, two passes defended, and one forced fumble.[52]

On February 5, 2017, Ninkovich was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, he had two assisted tackles as the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.[53] In a postgame interview with WBZ Sports,[54] Ninkovich claimed the Patriots "broke down" in the locker room at halftime, resolving afterwards to play "one heck of a 30-minute half." The Patriots trailed 28–3 in the third quarter, but rallied all the way back to win the game 34–28 against the Atlanta Falcons. The game was the first to go to overtime, and the Patriots made the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.[55][56]

Retirement

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On July 30, 2017, Ninkovich announced his retirement from the NFL after eleven seasons, including eight with the Patriots.[57][58]

In July 2019, ESPN announced that Ninkovich would be joining the network as an NFL analyst.[59] In June 2023, it was reported that Ninkovich's contract would be not renewed.[60]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2006 NO 3 4 2 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2007 MIA 4 2 1 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2008 MIA 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2009 NE 15 23 14 9 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2
2010 NE 16 62 45 17 4.0 0 3 63 2 1 1.0 1 0 4
2011 NE 16 74 43 31 6.5 1 3 0 2 30 15.0 18 1 4
2012 NE 16 58 32 26 8.0 5 4 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 1
2013 NE 16 91 42 49 8.0 2 2 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2014 NE 16 62 45 17 8.0 0 1 15 1 11 11.0 11 1 2
2015 NE 16 52 33 19 6.5 1 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 7
2016 NE 12 32 17 15 4.0 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 2
Total 131 460 274 186 46.0 10 14 84 5 42 8.4 18 2 23

Postseason

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Year Team GP Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds Int Yds Avg Lng TD PD
2010 NE 1 4 2 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
2011 NE 3 16 8 8 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 NE 2 12 6 6 2.0 0 0 0 1 6 6 6 0 2
2013 NE 2 3 3 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014 NE 3 15 8 7 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
2015 NE 2 8 5 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 NE 3 6 2 4 1.0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Total 16 64 34 30 6.0 1 1 0 1 6 6.0 6 0 7

References

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  1. ^ "Rob Ninkovich Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  2. ^ Bowers, Rachel G. (July 30, 2017). "11 things we learned from Rob Ninkovich's retirement news conference". boston.com. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  3. ^ "Bill Belichick congratulates 'tough Croatian' Rob Ninkovich on tremendous career". Yahoo! Sports AU. July 30, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  4. ^ Whitmer, Michael (January 9, 2015). "There is no quit in Patriots' Rob Ninkovich". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "TEAM: Roster Rob Ninkovich Profile". MiamiDolphins.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Player Bio: Rob Ninkovich". PurdueSports.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  7. ^ a b c d e "KFFL – Rob Ninkovich, DL". KFFL.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  8. ^ "Rob Ninkovich, Purdue, DE, 2006 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "Rob Ninkovich, Combine Results, DE - Purdue". NFLCombineResults.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  10. ^ "2006 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  11. ^ "New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns - September 10th, 2006". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  12. ^ Pasquarelli, Len (September 29, 2006). "Saints lose DE Ninkovich for season to knee injury". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  13. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2006 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  14. ^ "Ourlads.com: New Orleans Saints' depth chart: 07/01/2007". Ourlads.com.
  15. ^ Guregian, Karen. "Ex-Saint Rob Ninkovich finally gets chance". The Boston Herald. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  16. ^ "Miami Dolphins' depth chart: 10/01/2007". Ourlads.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  17. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins - September 16th, 2007". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  18. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2007 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  19. ^ "Dolphins fire Cameron after 1-15 season". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 3, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  20. ^ Pasquarelli, Len (January 16, 2008). "Dolphins hire Sparano as coach with 4-year deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  21. ^ Clayton, John (January 23, 2008). "Staff : Pasqualoni hired as Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator". The Daily Orange. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  22. ^ "Ourlads.com: Miami Dolphins' depth chart: 07/01/2008". Ourlads.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  23. ^ "Miami Dolphins 2008 Preseason Statistics". NFL.com. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
  24. ^ "2008 Miami Dolphins Transactions". ESPN. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  25. ^ Nelson, Chris J. (November 15, 2008). "Dolphins Place G McChesney on IR, Promote LB Ninkovich from Practice Squad". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  26. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins - November 16th, 2008". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  27. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2008 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  28. ^ Nelson, Chris J. (December 4, 2008). "Miami Dolphins Lose Practice Squad Linebacker Rob Ninkovich To Saints". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  29. ^ Guillot, Gene (June 29, 2009). "New Orleans Saints release veteran long snapper Kevin Houser". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
  30. ^ "Spotrac.com: Rob Ninkovich contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  31. ^ Reiss, Mike (December 12, 2009). "Ninkovich latest to sign extension". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
  32. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2009 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  33. ^ "New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - October 4th, 2010". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  34. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2010 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  35. ^ "New England Patriots at New York Jets - November 13th, 2011". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  36. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2011 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  37. ^ "Divisional Round - Denver Broncos at New England Patriots - January 14th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  38. ^ "AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 22nd, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  39. ^ "Super Bowl XLVI - New York Giants vs. New England Patriots - February 5th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  40. ^ "New York Jets at New England Patriots - October 21st, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  41. ^ "Denver Broncos at New England Patriots - October 7th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  42. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  43. ^ Yates, Field (September 23, 2013). "Ninkovich on extension: 'Happy to be here'". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  44. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  45. ^ "New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills - October 12th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  46. ^ "Chicago Bears at New England Patriots - October 26th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  47. ^ "2014 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  48. ^ "Super Bowl XLIX - Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots - February 1st, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  49. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  50. ^ Sessler, Marc (September 2, 2016). "Patriots' Rob Ninkovich facing four-game suspension". NFL.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  51. ^ Volin, Ben (September 11, 2016). "Patriots extend Rob Ninkovich's contract". Boston Globe. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  52. ^ "Rob Ninkovich 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  53. ^ "Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  54. ^ "What The Patriots Had To Say After Their Incredible Super Bowl LI Victory". CBS News. February 6, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  55. ^ Wesseling, Chris (February 5, 2017). "New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI". NFL.com. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  56. ^ Clarke, Liz (April 7, 2023). "Julian Edelman's Super Bowl miracle catch gives Patriots answer to David Tyree". Washington Post. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  57. ^ "Patriots LB Rob Ninkovich Announces His Retirement". Patriots.com. July 30, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  58. ^ Reiss, Mike (July 30, 2017). "Longtime Pats DE Ninkovich calls it a career". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  59. ^ Schwab, Frank (July 23, 2019). "Report: Mark Sanchez walking away from NFL for ESPN college football analyst job". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  60. ^ Haring, Bruce (June 23, 2023). "ESPN's Rob Ninkovich Is Latest Cut At Network As Paring Continues". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
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