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).
“The future is bright for the entire class of 2026,” Greenwich HS Principal Ralph Mayo said in a release on Tuesday. “At Greenwich High School, our dedicated staff prepares our students to succeed at this chapter of their lives locally, regionally, nationally, or globally. History has documented that our Cardinals become productive members of society and once they leave, they look back fondly on their foundational time on Hillside Road. John Sullivan is a perfect example of what it means to be Cardinal in Greenwich.”
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.
“Greenwich High School played an extremely important role during the formative years of my life,” Sullivan said. “I am forever grateful for the entire Greenwich High School community; without the support I received from friends, teachers, coaches, and everyone at GHS, my life would be completely different. When the high school reached out about speaking at the 2026 graduation ceremony, it was an honor to be able to accept the opportunity, and I am looking forward to the ceremony in June.”
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.
On the wrestling mat, Sullivan dominated at heavyweight, claiming three Connecticut State Open Championships (2001-2003) and placing seventh at the NHSCA Senior Nationals to earn All-American status.
After retiring following Super Bowl LIII, Sullivan pivoted to financial services in 2020. Today, he is a partner and the Director of Business Development at Integra Global Advisors in Stamford where he guides clients with the same steady hand that guided NFL offenses.
An advocate for multi-sport youth development, he recently coached his sons’ teams with the Glenville Mavericks – 10-year-old Harry on the GYFL Champion Bantam squad and 6-year-old George on the kindergarten flag team. Married to his wife, New York Times bestselling author Ariel Sullivan, since 2014, Sullivan is a devoted husband and father whose family anchors his post-gridiron life in Connecticut.
