Philadelphia, PA – June 9, 2025
Rick Lovato didn’t leave the NFL with a viral highlight. He didn’t walk off the field to confetti showers or a national farewell tour. But after nearly a decade of quiet excellence, two Super Bowl titles, and 139 games as the Philadelphia Eagles’ long snapper, Lovato is stepping away from professional football — on his own terms, and for a reason that’s bigger than the game.
At 32, Lovato has officially retired following his release by the Eagles in March. Instead of chasing a contract with another team, he’s chosen something different. Something personal. Something deeply Philly.
He’s staying home to coach high school football.
“Two rings with the Eagles are more than enough for me,” Lovato posted on X. “I don’t wanna play for another team and face Philly as a rival. So, I’m stepping away to focus on high school football in Philly.”
It’s a rare gesture in today’s NFL — a player with more left in the tank choosing loyalty over opportunity, mentorship over money. Lovato will begin the next chapter of his football life on the sideline at Middletown High School South, where he plans to bring championship-level standards to the grassroots level of the game.
Signed by the Eagles in 2016, Lovato became a pillar of reliability for nearly a decade. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2019, helped Jake Elliott hit a franchise-record 61-yard field goal, and snapped flawlessly in countless high-pressure moments, including two Super Bowl runs. Even in his final appearance — Super Bowl LIX — Lovato’s name was rarely mentioned, which for a long snapper, is the mark of a job well done.
Despite two early false starts in that game, Lovato's presence brought stability to an ever-changing special teams unit. But in 2025, the team opted to move in a new direction, replacing him with veteran Charley Hughlett. Rather than entertain offers from other franchises, Lovato closed the NFL chapter of his life with gratitude — and purpose.
His decision has struck a chord with fans.
"Rick’s a Philly legend!” one wrote on X. Another added, “He’ll inspire kids just like he inspired this city — by doing the hard work no one sees.”
Lovato’s journey — from undrafted to Pro Bowler, from overlooked to indispensable — reflects everything that defines Eagles football: toughness, humility, resilience. His post-retirement plans only reinforce that legacy. In recent years, Lovato has also been an advocate for infertility awareness, lending his platform to causes that matter beyond the scoreboard.
Now, with Lane Johnson and Jake Elliott as the only remaining players from the Super Bowl LII roster, Lovato’s departure signals more than just a roster change. It marks the quiet exit of one of the last threads connecting today’s Eagles to the team that shocked the world in 2017.
Philadelphia may have lost a veteran on the field — but it has gained a leader off it. And as Lovato steps into his role as a coach, mentor, and community voice, one thing is clear:
He’s not done making an impact. He’s just getting started.
