Jonathan Ogden

Jonathan Phillip Ogden (born July 31, 1974) is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons. He played college football for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and was recognized as an All-American. Drafted in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft, he played his entire professional career for the Baltimore Ravens. He was an eleven-time Pro Bowl selection and a nine-time All-Pro. Ogden is considered a strong candidate for induction into the 2013 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Early years
Ogden was born in Washington, D.C. He received his education at St. Albans School in Washington, excelling not only in high school football but also in track and field. He was a high school All-American in both football and track.

College career
He decided to attend UCLA instead of the University of Florida because UCLA would let him participate in track and field. He later won the 1996 NCAA indoor track title in the shot put. Ogden had an outstanding career with the UCLA Bruins football team, starting as left tackle for four years. In 23 games during his junior and senior years, he allowed just two sacks. In 1995, Ogden received the Outland Trophy and the Morris Trophy, was the UPI Lineman of the Year, and was a unanimous first-team All-American. Ogden's father, an investment banker, told his son to accept UCLA's decision to move him from right to left tackle.

Ogden's jersey (#79) has been retired, making him only the eighth player in Bruins' history to receive that honor. He was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. He was a history major.

Professional career
During the 1996 NFL Draft, Ogden was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round with the fourth overall choice, the first-ever draft pick made by the Ravens.

He was named a nine-time All-Pro and an eleven-time Pro Bowler at left tackle, earning trips to Hawaii in every season except his rookie year. During his career, Ogden caught two passes &mdash; both for one yard and both for touchdowns. He also recovered 7 fumbles, and recorded 10 tackles. Ogden also won a reputation for smiling. "He's a laugher," joked former New York Giants DE Michael Strahan. "You see him, you think to yourself this guy is not mean enough to handle the mean guys out there in the NFL. Jonathan would rip your limbs off, and he'd smile...and wave your arm in front of you." Ogden also threw his helmet in frustration several times.

In 2001, Ogden won a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens when they defeated the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV. Ogden announced his retirement on June 12, 2008 after a career that spanned 12 seasons, all with Baltimore. At 6' 9", Ogden was tied with fellow Raven Jared Gaither as the tallest player in the NFL at the end of his playing career.

Personal life
Johnathan Ogden married Kema Francis in 2004. He established the Jonathan Ogden Foundation to benefit inner city schools and help student-athletes take responsibility for their futures through lessons learned on the playing field, in the classroom, and throughout their local communities.

Ogden once attempted to win the WWF Hardcore Championship from Crash Holly on an episode of Monday Night Raw, but was unsuccessful. In Sept. 2009, Ogden was selected to Sporting News' Magazine's Team of the Decade (2000's). In 2010, he was placed 72nd on the list of NFL's top 100 players.

Ogden currently resides in the general Baltimore area. He has starred in commercials for Apple Ford, a Baltimore-area dealership, and during his playing career appeared in TV advertisements for Geico Insurance. He was present during the Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV reunion in 2010.