Damn it, I was directly responsible for steering him into a star NFL career, and I've never received even a crummy Viking's T Shirt, let alone Super Bowl tickets

“I know there’s something I forgot to do, but what was it?”

GHS Announces Graduation Speaker, Former NFL Player, GHS Class of 2003 Grad

On Tuesday, the administration and staff of Greenwich High School announced that former NFL All-Pro John Sullivan will be the 2026 Commencement Speaker.

Mr. Sullivan is a proud GHS alum, class of 2003. GHS Commencement is scheduled for 5:00pm on Thursday, June 18 at Cardinal Stadium (weather permitting).

Sullivan played 11 years in the National Football League as a center for the Minnesota, Washington, and L.A. Rams franchises. Selected in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Notre Dame, Mr. Sullivan became the Minnesota Vikings’ starting center in 2009, holding the position for seven seasons and earning First-Team All-Pro honors in 2012. In 2017 and 2018, he helped the Rams win consecutive NFC West division titles and started 31 of 32 regular-season games, culminating in an appearance in Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots.

At Greenwich High School, Sullivan emerged as a two-sport phenom, earning four varsity letters each in football and wrestling, plus one in rugby and one in track. On the gridiron, he led the Cardinals to FCIAC Championships in 2001 and 2002, secured All-State honors three consecutive years (2000-2002), and was named the 2002 Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year.

His senior season culminated in a selection to the prestigious 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Way, way back when, I “coached” — and I use the term loosely — the little league baseball team that young Master Sullivan, along with my son John, were part of. I did so only because no other parent would step up, and my coaching skills were as limited as my own baseball talent. In fact, if I hadn’t been such a poor coach, Johnny might never have abandoned the game, discovered football, and gone on to stardom.

It probably didn’t hurt that the 8-year-old, 4’6” (approx), 60-lb ballplayer grew to be 6’4” 311 pounds, but it was my own ineptitude that gave him a nudge in the right direction. Oh, well, no tickets, but I did enjoy following his success in the NFL, and I’m delighted to learn that he’s still a star on a different field.