Rob Ninkovich Retires

Rob Ninkovich, the long time Patriot and former Boilermaker has decided to hang it up. Ninko has an eleven year career in the NFL, that included a stop in New Orleans, who drafted him in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL draft, Miami and New England, where he stayed the longest.

He was waived by the Saints after his rookie year, but the Dolphins then picked him up on waivers in 2007. He was released by the Dolphins in 2008, only to be resigned by the Saints in the winter of 2008, but was released as training camp started on July 30th, 2008, 9 years ago today. But, as the Patriots have always done, they saw something in Ninko and signed him two days later, he would then play 8 seasons for the Patriots, where he won two Super Bowl Rings.

Ninko did not start in West Lafayette. He started his collegiate career at Joliet Junior College, where he played two seasons, 2002 & 2003. Then, Coach Tiller signed him from there where he played for our Boilermakers in 2004 & 2005. He recorded 16 sacks combined in the two years he was on campus.

His most memorable performances came against IU while he was at Purdue. He was quite literally the Hoosier Killer. He had 4 sacks in 2004 against the Hoosiers, where the Boilers won 63-24 (lol). In 2005, he recorded his 2nd 4 sack game against the Hoosiers, in another rout of 41-14 (also lol).

I think I speak for Ninko when I say, thank you IU for making him a pass rushing demon.

Ninko was a great ambassador for the game and for Purdue. Have a great retirement, we hope to see you back in West Lafayette for some games this year!