f.Eagles 2-Time Super Bowl Champion Signs One-Day Contract to Retire in Philadelphia.f
Philadelphia, PA — November 5, 2025
An unsung hero of the Philadelphia Eagles’ two recent Super Bowl championship teams has hung up his football helmet for the final time.
A career spanning
11 seasons in the NFL has officially come to an end.
As Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean discussed the team’s renewed energy and success this week on The Insiders, one of the franchise’s most reliable veterans quietly said goodbye.
Rick Lovato, the longtime long snapper and steady presence on special teams, signed a one-day contract on Tuesday to retire as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles after being placed on the
reserve/retired list by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Lovato spent nine seasons in Philadelphia, appearing in 135 games, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2019, and winning two Super Bowl rings. Though rarely in the spotlight, his consistency and professionalism made him one of the most respected figures in the locker room.
“To retire an Eagle means everything to me,” Lovato said in a statement. “This city believed in me when few others did. Every snap, every win, every moment in green — I’ll carry it forever.”
He began his NFL journey with the Green Bay Packers, later spending time with Washington before finding a permanent home in Philadelphia. After parting ways with the Eagles following the 2024 season, he joined the
Chargers, playing nine games in 2025 before deciding it was time to walk away.
Coaches and teammates described Lovato as the definition of reliability — a player who never sought attention but whose impact was felt every Sunday.
“Rick was the heartbeat of our special teams unit for nearly a decade,” said special teams coordinator Michael Clay. “He represented what it means to be an Eagle — selfless, disciplined, and unshakable under pressure.”
As he officially retires in midnight green, Rick Lovato leaves behind more than two championship rings — he leaves behind a legacy of loyalty, quiet excellence, and the steady heartbeat of a championship era in Philadelphia.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Sets the Standard After Dominant Performance Against Commanders
LANDOVER, Md. – Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to redefine consistency for the Seattle Seahawks. In the 38–14 win over the Washington Commanders, the 23-year-old receiver etched his name into franchise history, becoming the
first Seahawks player ever to record four consecutive 100-yard receiving games.
Smith-Njigba caught eight passes for 129 yards, pushing his season total to an NFL-leading 948 yards. He also
tied Hall of Famer Steve Largent for the most 100-yard games in a single season (six) — and he did it with nine games still to go.
Head coach Mike Macdonald praised his star wideout’s impact:
“He’s the spark that keeps our offense flowing. Every time his number’s called, he delivers — and that energy lifts everyone around him.”
Smith-Njigba’s record-setting pace places him among the league’s elite. He’s now one of only
two players in NFL history aged 23 or younger — alongside Isaac Bruce — to surpass 900 yards through eight games. He’s also joined an exclusive group that includes Antonio Brown, Michael Irvin, and Adam Thielen as the only players to record
75+ receiving yards in each of their first eight games of a season.
Quarterback Sam Darnold added: “Defenses double him all the time, but that just opens opportunities for everyone else. He changes the way teams play against us.”
When asked about the record, Smith-Njigba kept his focus on the team’s bigger mission:
“I don’t really care about the records or stats. What matters to me is getting better every single day — and leading the Seahawks back to where we belong, as champions.”
With Seattle climbing to 6–3 and Smith-Njigba at the center of their offensive surge, the young receiver’s rise is not just remarkable — it’s beginning to feel inevitable.
