Monmouth Goes Big For Eagles' Snapper Rick Lovato, From Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Nearly all of America will tune into Super Bowl LVII this Sunday.

But Middletown residents will be watching one player in particular: Rick Lovato, a long snapper for the Philadelphia Eagles.

That's because Lovato, 30, grew up in the Lincroft section of Middletown. This is actually his second time going to the Super Bowl with the Eagles; he was on the team when they won in 2018.

"Middletown could not be prouder to see a great athlete and already Super Bowl champion Rick Lovato return back to the Super Bowl this weekend," said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry Friday afternoon. "I'm sure MJ's and all the bars throughout town will be packed Sunday night to see a hometown kid try and bring back yet another Vince Lombardi trophy."

Lovato got his start on local Pop Warner teams and then played varsity for Middletown High School South, from which he graduated in 2011. Middletown South was 12-1 in Lovato's junior year, and went to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 3 final his junior and senior years.

In fact, it was at Middletown South that Lovato, then a freshman, started with special teams: A long snapper means he's the one who snaps the ball for punts and field goal kicks.

His father, Rick, Sr., used to own Joyce’s, the Lincroft deli, and Lovato grew up making sandwiches behind the counter.

"Once you know Rick, Sr. you know the whole family," said Perry. "He's a great guy. Great family. I think his parents recently moved out of town. But it's just amazing to see Rick, Jr. representing Middletown in everything that he does."

Lovato was on the Eagles when they won Super Bowl LII in 2018, and Perry said Lovato returned to Middletown after that win. He came to the old town hall, where Perry said he and other Councilmembers got to meet him.

He played college football for Old Dominion, appearing in all 50 games as their long snapper. Now headed to his second Super Bowl, Lovato has come a long way since he went undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft. He was then signed by the Chicago Bears, and has also played for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins.

"Go Birds," said the Middletown mayor. "We're rooting for you because of Rick Lovato."

Kickoff for the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.