The driveway basketball video games on the Rhattigan household house in Naperville are performed with a livid and electrical depth.
Two years in the past in August, after he completed taking pictures from his older brothers T.J. and Joey, Jon Rhattigan contemplated his subsequent step in school.
“We didn’t even know whether he was going to be a starter his senior year,” T.J. mentioned. “I played against guys at Penn State who were really good, and I told Jon he was just as good as any of them.”
Then, after taking part in principally particular groups throughout his first three years, Jon put collectively a memorable senior yr as a linebacker at Army.
He completed with 78 tackles, together with 9 for loss, with 1 1/2 sacks, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He additionally had a 43-yard interception return for a landing.
“Growing up, Jon always looked at us and wanted to do what we were doing,” Joey mentioned. “He was always very determined, persevering through the tough times.”
Two years after that grueling household basketball recreation, Jon Rhattigan’s story is marked by promise and chance.
The Neuqua Valley graduate has gone nationwide, getting ready for the beginning of his second yr as a particular groups standout and situational linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks.
“It has been a really surreal experience — something I have dreamed about since I was a little boy,” he mentioned. “My brothers had been my function fashions. They molded me into who I’m due to their curiosity.
“They always came to my games and told me where I could be better.”
His path simply to achieve the NFL underscores the advantages of toughness, self-discipline and drive. After going undrafted in spring 2021, Rhattigan signed with the Seahawks as a free agent.
He started camp on the outer fringes of the 90-player roster. His standout efficiency within the Seahawks’ third preseason recreation towards the Los Angeles Chargers paved the best way.
“Jon played really well, with a couple of tackles and a pass deflection,” Joey mentioned. “When you’re sitting in the stands and you hear your last name over the loudspeaker of an NFL stadium, that is pretty amazing to take in.”
As a rookie final yr, Jon noticed motion in 14 video games, primarily on particular groups.
His alertness, velocity, presence and skill to make open-field tackles turned him into one of the compelling storylines for the Seahawks.
He completed with 10 tackles and a fumble restoration.
His dream took a barely somber detour final December on the opening kickoff of the Seahawks’ recreation on the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.
“I was engaged in a block, and when I put my body weight into my right knee planting down, I was coming at an angle,” Rhattigan mentioned.
He suffered a torn ACL on the play, lacking the remainder of the season.
“Football is a violent game,” he mentioned. “That is a risk I have been willing to take since I was 5 years old.”
Rhattigan, nonetheless, is aware of all about comebacks. In fall 2015, throughout his junior yr at Neuqua, he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee.
He made an excellent comeback because the 2016 Naperville Sun Football Player of the Year, main the Wildcats to the Class 8A state playoffs.
Six months faraway from his latest surgical procedure, he’s anticipated to start the brand new NFL season on the PUP (bodily unable to play) listing.
Rhattigan needs to be medically cleared for a return to motion by the center of the season. He has already achieved a exceptional distinction.
“I was very thankful to put on an NFL uniform for 15 straight weeks,” he mentioned.
His accomplishment has been a deeply shared familial expertise.
T.J., 30, and Joey, 28, every stay in Chicago.
“For me, just stepping out of the shadow of T.J at Neuqua was something I felt, and I am sure Jon felt it twice,” Joey mentioned. “We were always looking to one-up each other, but we always had that brotherhood and competitiveness and we were rooting for each other.”
Despite the harm, Jon feels he took the essential first step final season as a rookie.
“Any season-ending injury is going to be tough,” Rhattigan mentioned. “I definitely really feel assured in myself and the rehabilitation course of.
“I’ve done it before, and I know I can do it again.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a contract reporter for the Naperville Sun.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com