When Rob Ninkovich announced his retirement on Sunday afternoon, his teammates and coaches let him know exactly what he meant to the Patriots organization. Alan Branch was the first to enter the media workroom at Gillette Stadium, and he was followed shortly by more than 40 veterans, rookies, captains, coaches and staff members. They all wanted to be there for Rob's moment, reflecting back on an eight year career with the Patriots, including two Super Bowl championships.
The day was an emotional one as Rob thanked those who helped him along the way, including his family, mentors and, of course, those within the Patriots organization over the years. After the press conference, some of those teammates, both current and former Patriots, paid tribute to No. 50 on social media, celebrating his dedication to the game, his character on the field and as an all-star teammate.
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No one could say it better than the man himself though. In an Instagram posted on Monday, Rob kept it simple, writing, "New England: You are forever home. #ThankYou #GoPats"
Patriots Nation will surely miss you, Rob. Congratulations on an incredible NFL career.
