Philadelphia, PA – June 22, 2025
Rick Lovato, a two-time Super Bowl champion long snapper, announced his retirement at 32 after the Philadelphia Eagles released him in March. The beloved special teams stalwart is now shifting gears to coach high school football in Philly.
Lovato shared his heartfelt decision on X: “Two rings with the Eagles are more than enough for me. 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.”
Signed by the Eagles in 2016, Lovato played 139 games, earning a 2019 Pro Bowl nod. His flawless snaps helped Jake Elliott nail a 61-yard franchise-record field goal and win Super Bowl LII, per PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
Despite two false starts in Super Bowl LIX’s 40-22 rout of the Chiefs, Lovato’s nine-year tenure solidified his legacy. Released to make way for Charley Hughlett, he chose retirement over new teams, per The Inquirer.
Fans on X mourned: “Rick’s a Philly legend!” (@EaglesNation). Others backed his pivot: “He’ll inspire kids!” (@PhillyFanatic). Lovato’s grit, from undrafted to champion, resonates, per Bleeding Green Nation.
At Middletown High School South, Lovato will coach, passing on Eagles’ resilience. “Philly’s about heart,” he told ESPN. His community work, like supporting infertility awareness, endures, per TODAY.com.
The Eagles’ special teams, now led by Hughlett, face scrutiny after Elliott’s 2024 struggles. Lovato’s exit leaves Lane Johnson and Jake Elliott as Super Bowl LII holdovers, per NBC Sports Philadelphia.
As Philly preps for its Brazil opener, Lovato’s legacy shines. Will his coaching spark the next Eagles star? Stay tuned to ESPN for updates on this cherished champion’s new chapter!
