John Sullivan, who graduated from Greenwich High School in 2003 and forged an 11-year career in the NFL, will be the speaker at his alma mater’s 2026 commencement next month. Sullivan is shown back in his days as a GHS Cardinal in 2002 attempting to block a pass against Wilton High School.
Bob Luckey/Hearst Connecticut Media
Former NFL All-Pro John Sullivan, seen here with the Los Angeles Rams, will be the speaker at Greenwich High School’s commencement for the Class of 2026 on June 18. Sullivan graduated from GHS is 2003 and went on to play football for the University of Notre Dame and in the NFL.
Gregory Vasil/Hearst Connecticut Media
Former NFL All-Pro John Sullivan, seen here when he played for the Los Angeles Rams, will be the speaker at Greenwich High School’s graduation on June 18. Sullivan graduated from GHS is 2003 and went on to play football for the University of Notre Dame and in the NFL.
Gregory Vasil/Hearst Connecticut Media
GREENWICH — Greenwich High School’s 2026 commencement speaker will be a former NFL All-Pro center who also happens to be a GHS alum.
John Sullivan, who graduated from Greenwich High in 2003, will speak at the June 18 graduation ceremony, according to an announcement from the school.
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Sullivan’s career in the NFL spanned 11 years. During that time, he played for the Minnesota Vikings, as well as the team now known as the Washington Commanders and the Los Angeles Rams.
His alma mater “played an extremely important role” in his formative years, Sullivan said in a statement, and he is honored to be the commencement speaker this year.
“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,” he said.
Football wasn’t the only sport Sullivan played during his time at GHS. He was a member of the varsity wrestling squad, and played rugby and ran track as well, according to the school.
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But Sullivan excelled on the football field. He helped lead the team to Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference championships in 2001 and 2002. Along the way, he amassed All-State honors three times, from 2000 to 2002, and was named Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year in 2002. As a high school senior, Sullivan was selected to the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, according to the school.
Sullivan was so dominant on both the offensive and defensive lines in football, CT Insider named him to its quarter center team earlier this year,
He similarly dominated in high school wrestling. Sullivan was the individual heavyweight champion in the Connecticut State Open Championships three years in a row, from 2001 to 2003. He earned All-American status in high school wrestling, when he placed seventh at the National High School Coaches Association’s Senior Nationals tournament, GHS said.
Upon graduating from high school, Sullivan enrolled at the University of Notre Dame and played center for the Fighting Irish football team. Sullivan graduated from Notre Dame in 2007 with a degree in marketing, according to the university.
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A year later, Sullivan’s professional football career began, when was selected in the sixth round of the NFL’s 2008 draft. He soon became the Vikings’ starting center, and held that role for seven seasons. Sullivan’s NFL career included an appearance in 2019 in Super Bowl LIII, while he was a member of the Rams. His team lost to the New England Patriots that year.
Now Sullivan works in financial services as a partner and the director of business development at the Stamford-based Integra Global Advisors.
According to Greenwich High School, Sullivan advocates for multisport youth development. He coached both of his sons’ youth football squads. Sullivan is married to novelist Ariel Sullivan.
In a statement, Greenwich High School Principal Ralph Mayo described the future as “bright for the entire class of 2026.”
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“At Greenwich High School, our dedicated staff prepares our students to succeed at this chapter of their lives locally, regionally, nationally or globally,” Mayo said. “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.”
Past years’ GHS commencement speakers included well-known athletes, journalists and the co-owner of the New York Islanders, Jonathan Ledecky, who graduated from the school in 1975. He spoke at its 2023 commencement.
Other previous speakers include:
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2025 — Ben van Leeuwen, GHS Class of 2002, founder of van Leeuwen ice cream;
2024 — Zach Lowe, GHS Class of 1995, ESPN sportswriter;
2022 — William Owens, then-executive producer of “60 Minutes” and father of two GHS graduates;
2021 — Joan Lunden journalist, author and GHS parent; and
2020 — Mark Teixeira, former New York Yankees first baseman.
Greenwich High School’s commencement will be held Thursday, June 18, at Cardinal Stadium, weather permitting. It is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.