New Packers long snapper Rick Lovato was working at Joyce’s Subs and Pizza in New Jersey when Green Bay called him Monday and gave him the good news.
So Lovato took off his apron and put on a jersey.
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“I’ve been training for this and waiting for a moment like this for a long time now,” Lovato said, via Packers.com. “I’m ready. I’m ready to go show everyone that I can do this.”
Green Bay's regular long snapper, Brett Goode, tore his ACL, so the team held tryouts for a replacement. Lovato must have impressed the coaches because he'll be playing his first NFL game this Sunday against the Cardinals.
But he took an interesting path to get to this point. He was working part time at his parents' sub shop while simultaneously working out at a gym for his next opportunity.
"I was doing everything," Lovato said about working at a sub shop, via the Journal Sentinel. "When you work there you work as a cashier, you make food. I make breakfast sandwiches, pizza, everything you can think of."
His suggestion? The No. 15 sub.
"That's our Italian sub," Lovato said. "Five bucks at most for a half sub."
He had success at Old Dominion over the past four years but went undrafted. He signed with the Bears soon after the draft but failed to earn a spot in training camp. He worked out with the Dolphins a few days later but nothing came of it.
Now, he's looking to make a lasting impression in Green Bay.
