Ray "Bubba" Ventrone

Bubba Ventrone is a safety for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. Ventrone has also been a member of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Villanova. Ventrone began his college career at Villanova University in 2001. As a junior in 2003, Ventrone was selected to the All-Atlantic 10 Conference first team. He finished his college career with 251 tackles, two sacks, and five forced fumbles.
The Patriots signed Ventrone to their practice squad on September 18, 2007 and then promoted to the team’s 53-man roster on November 3. It was his second stint with the Patriots. Upon the activation of Eddie Jackson and Chad Jackson from the PUP list, the Patriots released Ventrone on November 7, 2007, and re-signed him to their practice squad two days later. He was again promoted to the active roster in December, and remained on the active roster for the balance of the season, including Super Bowl XLII, in which he recorded his first NFL tackle.

During the 2008 offseason, Ventrone began practicing as a wide receiver, a position he had not played in games since he was a sophomore at Chartiers Valley High School; he had, however, previously lined up at wide receiver on scout teams in Patriots practices. In the Patriots’ third 2008 preseason game, Ventrone led all receivers with four receptions, while still playing on special teams and defense. Ventrone would go on to play in 15 games during the 2008 season, almost exclusively on special teams, recording six special teams tackles.
Ventrone signed with the Cleveland Browns on September 16, 2009. In 2010, Ventrone appeared in all 16 games in a reserve role and was one of the leaders on the club with nine special teams tackles and a fumble recovery. He was also part of a kickoff coverage group that led the NFL by allowing an average of only 17.8-yards per return and a punt coverage unit that allowed an average of 7.1 yards per return, a figure that was fifth-best in the NFL. Ventrone was selected as a Pro Bowl Alternate as a Special Teamer in 2010 where he led the #1 ranked special teams unit in the NFL. Ventrone signed with the San Francisco 49ers on June 3, 2013.