Rob Ninkovich is retired, but as we’ve learned plenty of times in the NFL and other sports leagues, retirement isn’t always permanent.
The former New England Patriots outside linebacker announced his retirement in late July. However, when he discussed the decision Wednesday with Michael Felger and Christopher L. Gasper on CSN New England’s “Early Edition,” he said he wasn’t “closing the door” on a potential return to the NFL.
“I’m not going to lie, you think about — I could go and I could play and I could help the team,” Ninkovich told Felger and Gasper, via CSNNE.com. “I haven’t had any contact, I kind of just took some time to relax and be with my family. Unfortunately, my grandfather had a stroke right before camp and he has passed since, so it was nice to be able to go home, spend time with him a few times and go to his funeral and do the things I had to do for my family and be there for my mom. So, those were things I wouldn’t have been able to do if I was in training camp. Those are blessings.
“(But) I’m not closing the door. Just in case something happens.”
Ninkovich played eight seasons for the Patriots after stops with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins in his first three NFL seasons.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
