Robert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . Rob Ninkovich was born in Blue Island, Illinois to a family of Croatian origin. Following seventh grade, Rob's family relocated to New Lenox, Illinois. He attended Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox where he played defensive end, tight end, and fullback. Rob earned All-State honors for defensive end during his senior year. He also lettered in baseball. Following high school, Ninkovich spent two years at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois. As a freshman,... he recorded 36 tackles and seven sacks as his team won the NJCAA national championship. During the summer prior to his sophomore year, Ninkovich worked with his father, an ironworker, hanging beams on a Chicago construction site 19 stories high. According to his father, the purpose was to give Rob extra incentive to complete his college education. As a sophomore at Joliet in 2003, Ninkovich earned third-team NJCAA All-American honors after recording 95 tackles , five forced fumbles, four fumble recovering and a school-record 16 sacks.
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| Birthdate: | February 1, 1984 |
| Birthplace: | Blue Island, Illinois |
| Age: | 28 |
| Height: | 6' 2" |
| Weight: | 255 lbs. |
| All Positions Played: | Outside Linebacker |
| Education: | Purdue University |
| Also known as: | Robert Michael Ninkovich |