Long Snapper Joe Cardona Balances Duties With Patriots, U.S. Navy

FOXBORO (CBS) – Joe Cardona is a Patriot in more than one sense of the word.

The Patriots drafted Cardona, a long snapper from the Naval Academy, in this year's NFL Draft. While he plays for New England, he is also continuing to serve as an active member of the U.S. Navy.

"I think Joe has done a real good job of (balancing football and the Navy)," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick at his press conference on Veterans Day. "He's here when he can be here and when he's not here we know where he is."

When he's not with the team, Cardona is in uniform at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I.

Earlier this season, the Patriots shared a photo on Twitter of the team boarding the plane for its game against Buffalo. Cardona was in Naval uniform as he ascended the steps.

The long snapper told Patriots.com that he is amazed by the support he has received during his time in both uniforms.

"I've had a lot of teammates and former teammates, former classmates reach out, previous alumni, a lot of people tell me how much they're supporting me," Cardona said. "That means so much to me that they're doing so much for our country and they still take the time to watch games and just reach out."

Belichick, who has strong ties to the Navy after growing up while his father was a member of the Midshipmen coaching staff, said Cardona has made strides in his first season.

"I think he's done a good job of managing his time and working as hard as he can on the things he needs to improve on, which again it's a big jump from what he did last year to what he's doing this year and the precision, the execution and the timing and so forth," Belichick said.