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Jake Ballard
Jake Ballard
Jake Ballard
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Jacob Owen Ballard (born December 2, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State and was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and won Super Bowl XLVI with them. He was also a member of the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals.

Key Information

Early life and college

[edit]

Ballard grew up in Springboro, Ohio. He went to Springboro High School and started on both sides of the ball in football and started on the basketball team. He attended Ohio State University, where he caught 34 passes for 377 yards, averaging 11.1 yards per catch, and 3 touchdowns.

Professional career

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New York Giants

[edit]

Ballard was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL draft on April 25, 2010. He was waived/injured after suffering a hamstring injury during training camp on August 19. He was re-signed to the team's practice squad on September 5. He was promoted to the active roster on November 20.[1] He played in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles the following day, playing eights snaps. He was waived on November 23,[2] and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster again on December 16.

Ballard played in the November 6, 2011 game against the New England Patriots (5–2) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, finishing the day with 67 receiving yards, including a 28-yard catch on 3rd and 10 with :51 left and the subsequent 1-yard touchdown catch with just 17 seconds to play. The Giants won the game 21–17 to maintain a 2-game lead in the NFC East and hand the Patriots their second straight loss for the first time since 2009 (and first in 21 consecutive games at home). [citation needed]

Ballard played in Super Bowl XLVI but left in the second half with a torn ACL in his left knee.[3] After leaving the field, he attempted to run and cut on the sideline, but collapsed unable to reach full speed. Replacing Ballard was teammate Bear Pascoe, who finished the game with 4 catches for 33 receiving yards. The Giants defeated the Patriots in the Super Bowl 21–17.[4]

New England Patriots

[edit]

While Ballard was recovering from his ACL injury, the Giants decided to place him on injured reserve. Because they decided to do so during the offseason, NFL rules required that he be exposed to waiver claims before they could do so. While Ballard and his agent expected that he would clear waivers, New England claimed him off waivers on June 12, 2012. He spent the entire 2012 regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. On August 30, 2013 Ballard was informed of his release.[5]

Arizona Cardinals

[edit]

After cutting rookie tight end D. C. Jefferson due to his arrest, the Cardinals agreed to terms with Ballard on November 4, 2013. Ballard was expected to split time with tight ends Jim Dray and Rob Housler.[6] On December 15, 2013, Ballard caught his first touchdown pass in two years in a win against the Tennessee Titans. He played in eight games and caught seven passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns.[7]

On August 6, 2014, Ballard announced his retirement from the NFL because "after sustaining a serious knee injury while playing for the New York Giants in the Super Bowl, my body never felt the same. Having a quality of life after football is very important to me and I have witnessed it taken away from others."[8]

Life after football

[edit]

Ballard is a real estate agent with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Upper Arlington, Ohio.[9][10]

As of 2025, Ballard is married.[11]

Ballard spoke about his career and life with comedian Gianmarco Soresi.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jake Ballard

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jake Ballard (born December 2, 1987) is a former who played professionally in the (NFL) for four seasons, most notably as a key contributor to the ' victory in 2012 before a severe injury ended his career prematurely. Born in , Ballard attended , where he played as a , though he was not selected in the and signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent. His season in 2010 was limited to one game due to injuries, but he broke out in 2011 with 38 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable red-zone target and helping the Giants reach the playoffs. In against the , Ballard caught two passes for 10 yards, but he suffered a torn (ACL) and cartilage damage late in the game, which required and significantly hampered his mobility thereafter. Following the championship, Ballard's injury led to complications; he was waived by the Giants in 2012 after failing a physical and was claimed off waivers by the , with whom he rehabbed his injury through the 2012 season before being released in the 2013 preseason. He signed with the in 2013, appearing in eight games and recording seven receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns, but ongoing issues prevented a full return to form. At age 26, Ballard announced his retirement from the on August 6, 2014, citing the lasting effects of his injury and a desire to preserve his long-term , stating that "my body never felt the same" after the trauma. Over his brief career, he amassed 45 receptions for 679 yards and six touchdowns across 23 games, leaving a legacy as a pivotal, if short-lived, part of one of the Giants' most memorable postseason runs.

Early life

High school career

Jake Ballard was born on December 2, 1987, in , to parents Ben and Debby Ballard. His father, Ben, had played at and coached for 32 years, including stints at Springboro High School, while his mother, Debby, worked as a surgical nurse and was later inducted into the Springboro athletic hall of fame for . Ballard also has a fraternal twin brother, Josh, who played linebacker at , and a sister, Becky, who played at Franklin College. At Springboro High School, Ballard was a four-year letterman in both football and , starting on the basketball team and excelling as a in football. On the gridiron, he primarily played on offense while contributing on defense, often at or linebacker, and served as team captain during his senior year in 2005. His basketball involvement highlighted his athletic versatility, leading to his induction into the Springboro High School athletic hall of fame in 2011 alongside his sister Becky for contributions in multiple sports. During his senior season, Ballard recorded 22 receptions for 363 yards and three touchdowns in eight games on offense, while on defense he amassed 35 solo tackles, 42 assists, 10 tackles for loss, and three sacks. These performances earned him Ohio's 2005 Division II Defensive Player of the Year honors, along with first-team All-League and All-Ohio selections in both 2004 and 2005, District Player of the Year recognition, and a spot as a 2005 Preseason All-American. He helped lead Springboro to a 12-0 regular season record that year, though the team fell short of the state finals in a loss to Dayton Carroll. As a highly regarded prospect, Ballard ranked as the No. 19 recruit in and the No. 18 nationally in the class of 2006 according to . Hailing from a community deeply rooted in Ohio State fandom, he verbally committed to the Buckeyes in June 2005 before officially signing in February 2006, forgoing interest from other programs to join his home-state university.

College career

Ballard enrolled at in 2006 as a highly rated recruit out of Springboro High School. Over four seasons from 2006 to 2009, he developed into a reliable blocker while contributing selectively in the passing game, appearing in 45 games and recording 34 receptions for 377 yards with an average of 11.1 yards per catch and 3 touchdowns. As a in 2006, Ballard played in six games behind starter Rory Nicol, catching 2 passes for 5 yards and 1 , including a 1-yard scoring reception against that helped secure a 38-6 victory. His limited role reflected the depth at , but he gained valuable experience on a Buckeyes team that went 12-1 and won the . Ballard's sophomore season in 2007 marked his most active year as a receiver, with 13 catches for 149 yards and 2 across 13 games, primarily serving as a complementary option to Nicol. Notable performances included 3 receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown in a 21-7 win over Michigan State and 2 catches for 20 yards and another score in a 20-17 victory at Penn State. These contributions aided Ohio State's 13-1 campaign, which culminated in a appearance, though they fell 41-38 to LSU. In as a junior, Ballard split time at and recorded 5 receptions for 73 yards in 13 games, with highlights including a 25-yard catch against and 21 yards on a single reception in the loss to . His focus remained on blocking for the run-heavy offense, supporting a 10-3 season that included a share of the Big Ten title. Entering his senior year in , Ballard assumed the starting role after Nicol's departure for the NFL Draft, emphasizing leadership and pass-catching to bolster his professional prospects; he tallied 14 receptions for 150 yards in 13 games, led by 3 catches for 51 yards against and 24 yards in the Rose Bowl defeat to . Ballard earned internal team honors, including the Jim Parker Award at the postseason banquet, and was part of a senior class that compiled 44 wins and four Big Ten championships across their tenure. His progression from rotational player to starter highlighted his growth in route-running and reliability, setting the stage for the NFL Draft.

Professional career

New York Giants

Ballard signed with the as an undrafted on April 25, 2010, following his college career at Ohio State. He suffered a injury during , leading to his and subsequent re-signing to the team's on September 5, 2010. Ballard was promoted to the active roster on November 20, 2010, appearing in one game without recording any statistics before being waived again and returning to the later that month. In the 2011 season, Ballard secured a starting role at amid injuries to other players and the departure of previous starter in free agency, marking his progression from member to key contributor. He appeared in 14 games, starting 13, and recorded 38 receptions for 604 yards and four touchdowns, providing reliable blocking and red-zone production for . These efforts helped solidify the Giants' passing attack during their 9-7 regular season, which earned a playoff berth as champions. Ballard played a supporting role in the Giants' postseason run, catching five passes for 43 yards across four games, including two receptions for 10 yards in against the on , 2012. The Giants defeated the Patriots 21-17 to win the championship, with Ballard's contributions aiding the team's comeback victory before he suffered a torn (ACL) in his left knee during the second half, ending his participation in the game. Over his Giants career from 2010 to 2012, Ballard amassed 38 receptions for 604 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the regular season, plus his playoff totals, establishing himself as a pivotal, if brief, part of the franchise's Super Bowl-winning effort.

New England Patriots

On June 12, 2012, the claimed Jake Ballard off waivers from the , acquiring the 24-year-old prospect one day after his release by his former team. This move came amid the Patriots' efforts to bolster their tight end depth following Ballard's standout performance in the previous season, including his contributions in where he suffered an ACL tear that required surgery in February 2012. Ballard spent the entire on the Patriots' (PUP) list as he continued his recovery from the ACL injury, rendering him inactive and unable to participate in practices or games. During this period, the team viewed him as a low-risk investment, paying his 2012 salary of $540,000 while he rehabilitated, in hopes of integrating a proven blocker and receiver into their offense once healthy. The Patriots' strategy reflected Bill Belichick's opportunistic approach to roster building, particularly at the position strained by injuries to key players like . In July 2013, Ballard passed a physical and was removed from the PUP list, signaling his attempted comeback and potential role in as a veteran option for the group. However, despite showing progress in workouts, he did not appear in any preseason games and was ultimately released by the Patriots on August 30, 2013, as part of final roster cuts, without ever suiting up for a regular-season contest with the team. This short tenure underscored the challenges of his injury recovery within the Patriots' competitive depth chart and evolving offensive scheme under coordinator .

Arizona Cardinals

Ballard signed with the as a on November 4, 2013, shortly after his release from the . The one-year deal came as Ballard sought to revive his career following recovery from major . In the 2013 season, Ballard appeared in eight games for the Cardinals, starting three, and recorded seven receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns. His contributions were limited by ongoing issues stemming from a torn (ACL) he suffered in 2012, which had already caused him to miss an entire season and continued to hinder his mobility and practice participation. On August 6, 2014, at the age of 26, Ballard announced his retirement from the , citing cumulative injuries—particularly the lingering effects of the ACL tear and subsequent —that had diminished his quality of life and prevented a full return to form. This decision came during the Cardinals' , effectively ending his football career after just one limited season with the team.

Later life

Post-NFL career

After retiring from the due to recurring knee injuries in 2014, Jake Ballard transitioned into , obtaining his certification as an agent and joining Howard Hanna Services in the Columbus area, . Based in the Columbus , he has focused on residential property transactions, leveraging his background in construction and projects from his years to assist clients with buying, selling, and investing. Ballard's real estate career has progressed steadily, with him affiliating with the Howard Hanna Lenker Group by the early 2020s. As of 2025, he maintains an active role, handling multiple listings and completing sales in the region, including recent closings that support clients relocating for family or new construction opportunities. His practice emphasizes the Greater Columbus market, where he has earned positive client feedback for his professional approach. In addition to real estate, Ballard engages in public speaking and media appearances related to his NFL experiences and career transition. He is represented by booking agencies for keynote and virtual events, where he discusses topics such as teamwork, resilience, and life after professional sports. Notable appearances include a 2021 podcast interview on The Giants Guys, reflecting on his Super Bowl XLVI contributions and post-retirement adjustments.

Personal life

Ballard is married to Olivia Ballard, whom he met at a in Columbus two years after retiring from the . The couple has a son named , born in August 2024 following a premature delivery at 27 weeks. Ballard identifies as a Christian and has publicly shared his journey back to faith after his career ended abruptly due to injury. In 2019, he served as the keynote speaker at Ohio Christian University's Athletic Department’s Chase the Lion Awards, where he discussed his professional experiences and spiritual growth. He resides in the area with his family.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BallJa21.htm
  2. https://www.nfl.com/news/jake-ballard-announces-retirement-from-nfl-0ap3000000374776
  3. https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/b/ball01300.html
  4. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BallJa21/gamelog/2011/
  5. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201202050nwe.htm
  6. https://www.nfl.com/news/jake-ballard-waived-after-failing-giants-physical-09000d5d829bd894
  7. https://www.nfl.com/news/jake-ballard-ex-giants-te-claimed-by-patriots-09000d5d829c54b3
  8. https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/springboro-ballard-ready-for-more-giant-heroics/wBJrAbz3GMxvXZgIrVhPwJ/
  9. https://www.buckeyerosters.com/player/jake-ballard/
  10. https://www.springboroathletics.com/hall-of-fame-members
  11. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/22143/jake-ballard
  12. https://247sports.com/player/jake-ballard-46052795/
  13. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jake-ballard-1.html
  14. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jake-ballard-1/gamelog/2006
  15. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/2006.html
  16. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jake-ballard-1/gamelog/2007
  17. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/2007.html
  18. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jake-ballard-1/gamelog/2008
  19. https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2009/4/17/fb-spring-profile-ballard-embracing-new-leadership-role
  20. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jake-ballard-1/gamelog/2009
  21. https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2009/12/6/ohio-state-announces-award-winners-at-team-banquet
  22. https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/17074/ohio-state-seniors-go-out-on-top
  23. https://www.nfl.com/players/jake-ballard/
  24. https://www.columbian.com/news/2010/nov/20/giants-sign-te-jake-ballard-off-practice-squad/
  25. https://www.nj.com/giants/2010/11/giants_promote_te_jake_ballard.html
  26. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/nyg/season/2010
  27. https://www.si.com/nfl/2011/11/09/jake-ballard-starring-in-giants-unlikely-rise
  28. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/2011.htm
  29. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BallJa21/gamelog/post/
  30. https://www.nfl.com/news/giants-ballard-tore-left-acl-during-second-half-of-super-bowl-09000d5d826bfb5a
  31. https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-claim-te-jake-ballard-off-waivers-te-brad-herman-placed-on-ir-180931
  32. https://www.si.com/nfl/2012/06/13/huddle-up-dont-blame-patriots-for-giants-losing-jake-ballard
  33. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/report-patriots-te-jake-ballard-removed-from-pup-list/
  34. https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4743690/belichicks-ballard-claim-looks-brilliant
  35. https://nesn.com/2013/05/patriots-decision-to-claim-jake-ballard-from-giants-looks-genius-with-rob-gronkowskis-injuries/
  36. https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2013/07/23/report_jake_ballard_passes_physical_removed_from_p/
  37. https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-fells-jake-ballard-cut-by-new-england-patriots-0ap1000000236485
  38. https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4747644/source-te-ballard-to-be-cut
  39. https://www.azcardinals.com/news/jake-ballard-is-not-done-yet-13041479
  40. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/8201/jake-ballard/contract/
  41. https://www.espn.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/7801/arians-ballards-knee-were-bone-on-bone
  42. https://arizonasports.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/arizona-cardinals-te-jake-ballard-retires-from-nfl/8660/
  43. https://nypost.com/2022/02/01/how-giants-patriots-super-bowl-46-was-jake-ballards-high-low/
  44. https://www.howardhanna.com/Agent/Detail/Jake-Ballard/169167
  45. https://www.ratemyagent.com/real-estate-agent/jacob-ballard-b1hvb5/sales
  46. https://www.athletespeakers.com/speaker/jake-ballard
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SvwJ9kqWso
  48. https://www.instagram.com/p/C-1Ap3gylYV/
  49. https://ocuwebsite.blob.core.windows.net/public/2019SummerMagazinePages_WEB8.5x11.pdf
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