Pro Player Insiders' Hall of Fame Tribute: Jonathan Ogden - Pro Player Insiders Executive Editor Melissa Mahler

This past month in Canton, Ohio, the seven newest members of the Hall of Fame stood next to their busts, dressed in their gold jackets as they finished putting the final touches on their monumental careers. However, as they posed for pictures one man stood above the rest. A man that arose from a great family, that surrounded himself with great friends and that attended great schools. He understands the importance of strong foundation, especially for a man of his stature.

Jonathan Ogden HOF — Jonathan Ogden at HOF Ceremonies
Photo Credit: Ed Runyon

Jonathan Ogden’s induction into the Hall of Fame made him one of the youngest players to receive the honor. Ogden, considered one of the best left tackles the game has ever seen, is also one of the tallest players ever to play in the NFL. During his NFL tenure Ogden was listed at a staggering 6’9” 345lbs. Though it is not Ogden’s size or youth that makes him memorable and legendary, but his ability to work hard and maximize his potential.

Jonathan Ogden HOF Bust
Photo credit: Ed Runyon

Ogden was born and raised in Washington D.C. where in high school he excelled in both football and track and field. He chose to attend UCLA rather than the University of Florida because UCLA would allow him to play both sports while in college. While starting at left tackle in all four years at UCLA, Ogden won the 1995 Outland trophy, Morris trophy, was the UPI lineman of the year and a unanimous first-team All-American. As if Ogden’s trophy case wasn’t already filled to the brim, in 1996 he also won the 1996 indoor track national title in the shot put.

The 1996 NFL draft was the first for the newly franchised Baltimore Ravens and with the 4^th overall pick they chose left tackle Jonathan Ogden. In his 12 year NFL career, Ogden was named to 11 Pro Bowls, 10 All-Pro selections and in 2001 he helped lead the Ravens to their first ever Super Bowl victory over the New York Giants. In only five years the Baltimore Ravens went from expansion team to Super Bowl Champions, and they owe most of the credit to the cornerstone of their franchise at the time, Jonathan Ogden.

Jonathan Ogden HOF w bust — Jonathan Ogden with HOF bust
Photo Credit Ed Runyon

In the last two years of his career Ogden battled a toe injury that caused him to miss a combined seven games. Although Ogden loved playing for the Baltimore Ravens while he also became one of the most prolific players to play his position, he admits that transitioning into retirement came easier than expected.

“I felt at the end of the day when I retired, one my foot was hurting really bad and I couldn’t play the way I knew I could have played and two I felt I accomplished everything that I could. I won a Super Bowl, I have been to 11 Pro Bowls in twelve years, and I said you know what, What else is there for me to accomplish especially if I feel I am not enjoying the game any more? I feel like I was able to walk away and not really look back.”

HOF Jonathan Ogden close — Jonathan Ogden talks to reporters at HOF
Photo credit; Michael Johnson

Jonathan Ogden loves watching the Ravens, but confesses that he is not the biggest football fan in the world. During the season he may throw on a UCLA game or watch Joe Flacco lead the Raven offense to a Sunday victory but besides that, he is not too worried about football anymore.

“I love watching the Ravens, I am a Ravens fan and I’m a fan of my son who’s eight years old, his team. I am a fan of UCLA football but I’m not just a guy who is going to turn on Kansas City and Miami on Thursday nights because I need to watch football.”

Jonathan Ogden is the original Baltimore Raven. He represents an organization that has found early success in its short time in the NFL. Being one of the youngest players to get inducted into the Hall of Fame, Ogden knows a little something about early success. Now at just the age of 39 he will forever have his name amongst the greatest to ever play the game.

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