Ray Ventrone
A special teams ace turned mastermind coach whose relentless energy and tactical mind have made him one of the NFL's most respected unit leaders.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American football player and coach·Birthday: October 21·Millennials
Biography
Ray Ventrone's football identity was forged not in the glamour of offense or defense, but in the controlled chaos of special teams. For nine NFL seasons, the safety known as 'Bubba' was a core-four fixture, a human missile who covered kicks with a fearlessness that coaches covet. His playing career, spanning teams like the Patriots, Browns, and 49ers, was a masterclass in doing the gritty, essential work. That same intensity and deep understanding of football's third phase launched his coaching career. Starting as an assistant, he quickly ascended, bringing a player's perspective and a fanatical attention to detail. Now as the special teams coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, Ventrone builds units that are disciplined, explosive, and fundamentally sound, proving that mastery of the game's nuances can define a legacy.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ray was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ray Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ray's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played nine seasons in the NFL as a safety and special teams standout for five different teams.
- Won Super Bowl XLIX as a member of the New England Patriots in the 2014 season.
- Appointed special teams coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 and later for the Los Angeles Rams, establishing himself as a top coach in that phase.
Did You Know?
His brother, Ross Ventrone, also played in the NFL, and they were teammates briefly on the New England Patriots.
He was known for his long hair and intense playing style, earning a reputation as one of the toughest special teams players in the league.
He initially entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent signed by the New England Patriots in 2005.
“Special teams is a mindset; it's about controlled violence and perfect timing.”
