The promotion of Alex Buzbee from the Washington Redskins practice squad to the active roster on December 19, 2007, ended the 51-year drought of Hoyas in the league.

Ricca played in only six games for the Lions before being traded to Philadelphia after a post-game tirade by Detroit head coach Buddy Parker aboard the team plane following a 38–21 loss at San Francisco.

His granddaughters are also accomplished athletes: Jamie Ricca was a 1,000-point scorer at St. John's College High School and played collegiate basketball at Marymount University.

Kristi Ricca was a three-sport athlete at St. John's College High School and now serves as an educator in the community.

Jacqui Ricca played lacrosse from 2004 to 2007 at Mount St. Mary's University, where she was named the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year.