Rick Lovato Bio
Richard Peter Lovato Jr., known professionally as Rick Lovato, is an American former professional football long snapper who played in the National Football League from 2015 to 2025. He built his reputation on consistency and quiet craftsmanship, the traits that define great specialists in professional football. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 148 NFL games and contributed to two Super Bowl championships.
Lovato played college football at Old Dominion University, where he became a four-year starter for the Old Dominion Monarchs. After going undrafted in 2015, he carved out a decade-long NFL career across five franchises, earning recognition as a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and cementing his legacy with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Early Life and Background
Richard Peter Lovato Jr. was born on September 9, 1992, in Neptune Township, New Jersey. He grew up in a close-knit family in Monmouth County, the son of Rick Lovato Sr. and Maureen Lovato. The younger Rick, often distinguished from his father by the Junior suffix, was raised in the same New Jersey communities that shaped his work ethic and grounded personality.
He attended Middletown High School South in Middletown, New Jersey, where he began long snapping as a freshman. That early start gave him years of repetition before most specialists even pick up the position. At Middletown South, Lovato also saw time at center and on the defensive line, experiences that broadened his understanding of line play and football schemes.
Path to Professional Football
Lovato committed to Old Dominion University, joining the Old Dominion Monarchs football program from 2011 to 2014. He appeared in all 50 games during his college career as the program’s long snapper, demonstrating durability and reliability that would become his professional trademark. His performance earned him FCS All-American honors in 2012, a significant recognition for an Old Dominion specialist.
Following his senior season, Lovato entered the 2015 NFL Draft but went undrafted, the typical path for long snappers. Despite the lack of a draft selection, his college resume and consistent delivery attracted NFL interest, and he signed with the Chicago Bears on May 3, 2015, as an undrafted free agent. That signing marked the beginning of his professional journey.
Rick Lovato Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
Lovato’s first NFL stint with the Chicago Bears was brief. After signing in May 2015, he was released on August 30, 2015, during roster cutdowns. He briefly worked at a sandwich shop in Lincroft, New Jersey, owned by his father and uncle, before receiving another opportunity in the league.
On December 22, 2015, the Green Bay Packers signed Lovato after starting long snapper Brett Goode suffered a season-ending knee injury. Lovato became the first Old Dominion alumnus to play in a regular-season NFL game, handling snapping duties against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. He was released by the Packers on September 3, 2016, and later had a short stint with the Washington Redskins in November 2016.
Philadelphia Eagles Breakthrough (2016–2024)
On December 12, 2016, Lovato signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after starting long snapper Jon Dorenbos suffered a broken wrist. He earned the full-time long snapping job in 2017 when the Eagles traded Dorenbos, and he held that role for eight seasons. The stability of his position allowed him to focus on perfecting his craft.
In his first full year as the starter, Lovato was part of the Eagles team that won Super Bowl LII over the New England Patriots, earning his first championship ring. On November 19, 2019, he signed a four-year contract extension with the Eagles through the 2023 season, and later that month was selected to the Pro Bowl, the only Pro Bowl honor of his career.
Lovato reached his second Super Bowl in February 2023, though the Eagles fell 38–35 to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. He re-signed with the team on a one-year extension in March 2024 and went on to win Super Bowl LIX with the Eagles, joining Brandon Graham, Lane Johnson, and Jake Elliott as the only four players to win both Super Bowl LII and Super Bowl LIX with the franchise.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025)
On August 26, 2025, Lovato signed with the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad, then was elevated to the active roster on September 15, 2025. He was released on October 17 and re-signed to the practice squad, before returning to the active roster on October 21, 2025. His final NFL chapter was brief but reflected his ongoing value as a trusted specialist.
On November 4, 2025, Lovato announced his retirement from professional football, in part due to the impending return of long snapper Josh Harris. He closed his career as a two-time Super Bowl champion and a respected veteran of the specialist position.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a long snapper, Lovato’s strengths centered on accuracy, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure in field goal, extra point, and punt situations. His longevity with the Eagles reflected trust from coaches and special teams coordinators who valued his mechanics and reliability across weather conditions and game scenarios.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lovato’s signature milestones include becoming the first Old Dominion player to appear in an NFL regular-season game, winning Super Bowl LII and Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles, and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2019. He finished his career with 148 games played, 23 total tackles, and 1 forced fumble.
Rick Lovato Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Rick Lovato contributed to two Super Bowl championships and earned one Pro Bowl selection. He was a model of consistency at a position where reliability defines success, helping special teams units for the Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Philadelphia Eagles Highlights
Lovato’s defining years came with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2024. He was a member of the Super Bowl LII championship team in February 2018 and the Super Bowl LIX championship team in February 2025. He also reached Super Bowl LVII with the franchise in 2023, though the Eagles fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championship rings, Lovato earned FCS All-American honors in 2012 while at Old Dominion, a rare recognition for a long snapper. His late-season appearances with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins in 2015 and 2016, respectively, helped stabilize those special teams units during injury crises.
Rick Lovato Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Lovato was born and raised in Neptune Township, New Jersey, in a family with deep New Jersey roots. His father, Rick Lovato, and his uncle co-owned a sandwich shop in Lincroft, New Jersey, where the younger Lovato worked briefly between NFL stints in 2015. His mother is Maureen Lovato.
A native of Monmouth County, Lovato is a fan of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. His family connections to the local community remained strong throughout his career, grounding him even as he played at the highest levels of professional football.
2025 Season Performance
Rick Lovato entered the 2025 NFL season with the Los Angeles Chargers, signing to the practice squad on August 26, 2025, before being promoted to the active roster on September 15, 2025. He provided veteran leadership and reliable snapping duties for the Chargers’ special teams unit early in the season.
His role with the Chargers shifted during the season, as he was released on October 17 and re-signed to the practice squad before returning to the active roster on October 21, 2025. The moves reflected the Chargers’ evolving long snapper situation heading into the second half of the year.
Lovato announced his retirement from professional football on November 4, 2025, in part due to the impending return of Josh Harris to the active roster. His retirement closed a ten-year NFL career that included two Super Bowl championships, one Pro Bowl selection, and a reputation as one of the league’s most dependable long snappers.