Rob Ninkovich is a former American football player who played as a defensive end and outside linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He began his football career in college, playing for Purdue University from 2002 to 2005. During his college career, he played in 47 games and recorded 193 tackles, 19 sacks, and 4 interceptions.
After college, Ninkovich was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played for the Saints for two seasons, appearing in 14 games and recording 2 sacks and 1 interception. In 2008, he was released by the Saints and signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he played in 5 games and recorded 1 sack.
In 2009, Ninkovich signed with the New England Patriots, where he would spend the majority of his NFL career. He played for the Patriots for eight seasons, appearing in 123 games and recording 46 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, and 5 interceptions. He was a key member of the Patriots' defense during their Super Bowl XLIX and LI championship seasons.
Throughout his career, Ninkovich was known for his versatility and work ethic. He was able to play multiple positions on defense and was often used as a pass rusher, run stopper, and coverage linebacker. He was also a valuable contributor on special teams, where he blocked 4 kicks during his career.
In 2017, Ninkovich announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons. He finished his career with 460 tackles, 46 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, and 5 interceptions. After retiring, he became a football analyst for ESPN and also started his own podcast, "The Edge with Rob Ninkovich."
Overall, Rob Ninkovich had a successful football career, playing for three different teams and winning two Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots. He was a versatile and hardworking player who was respected by his teammates and coaches.
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