Gold Jacket Spotlight: Baltimore’s first Raven, Jonathan Ogden
Gold Jacket Spotlight
Published on : 11/11/2024
JONATHAN OGDEN became one of the greatest left tackles in NFL history over his 12 seasons for the Baltimore Ravens.
His professional legacy almost started somewhere else.
For the 1996 season, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell relocated his franchise to Baltimore, giving the city its first professional football team in 12 years, following the Baltimore Colts’ relocation to Indianapolis.
While not completely overhauling the newly christened Ravens’ roster and coaching staff, Modell and OZZIE NEWSOME, then-executive vice president/player personnel, were looking to improve all facets of the organization following a 5-11 record in 1995 in Cleveland.
The two were split on a decision with the fourth overall selection in the 1996 NFL Draft. Modell had his eyes on Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips, while Newsome was set on selecting Jonathan, a consensus All-America left tackle from UCLA. Reports at the time stated that of the 19 prospects who visited the team during the draft process, only Phillips had dinner with Modell.
Newsome vetoed Modell’s wishes and selected Jonathan — who is in this week's Gold Jacket Spotlight — and to this day he states that he “owed his job to the Ogden selection.”
“There was no doubt when we set the board that Jonathan was our highest-rated player,” Newsome said recalling the relocation and draft process.
Jonathan became the first draft pick in Baltimore Ravens history. A 6-foot-9 stalwart in the trenches, he became an instant starter and finished fifth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Even the Ravens’ offensive line coach at the time, Kirk Ferentz, knew the selection was a no-brainer.
“I remember shutting the projector off. I thought to myself: ‘What I just saw was a 6-8 guy, who looks like he’s 6-11, and 325, and he’s got the agility of a skill (position) player,” Ferentz said. “He pulled through there and hooked up on a safety 15 yards downfield. He did it effortlessly. I reminded myself, ‘This guy’s not normal.’”
Following a decorated collegiate career, Jonathan lived up to the hype in the pros, earning 11 Pro Bowls, and six first-team and five second-team All-Pro recognitions.
“I have the same attitude that I had when I came into the league; I just wanted to be the best offensive lineman I could be,” Jonathan said. “I never thought, ‘I want to be the best offensive lineman to ever play the game.’ I just wanted to be the best I could be, and I knew everything else would work itself out.”
Newsome presented Jonathan at his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2013 — the first Baltimore Ravens player elected.
In his opening remarks, which led to a joyful cheer from Ravens fans in attendance, Jonathan stated, “I want to thank you, Ozzie, for that fantastic introduction. I've often thought about that day back in 1996 when you drafted me instead of Lawrence Phillips. I think that worked out well for everybody.”
Despite not being Modell’s first choice for the first choice, Jonathan thanked the team’s late owner, who had passed away in 2012.
“First and foremost, I'm going to thank Mr. Art Modell. Without a doubt, one of the most generous and kindest individuals that I have ever met. I really wish he could be with me today,” Jonathan said in his Enshrinement speech.
He concluded a few minutes later, fighting back his emotions: “I am so very proud to have been the Baltimore Ravens’ first-ever draft choice, and I am so humbled to be the Baltimore Ravens’ first-ever Hall of Fame inductee. Thank you, all. Thanks.”
His professional legacy almost started somewhere else.
For the 1996 season, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell relocated his franchise to Baltimore, giving the city its first professional football team in 12 years, following the Baltimore Colts’ relocation to Indianapolis.
While not completely overhauling the newly christened Ravens’ roster and coaching staff, Modell and OZZIE NEWSOME, then-executive vice president/player personnel, were looking to improve all facets of the organization following a 5-11 record in 1995 in Cleveland.
The two were split on a decision with the fourth overall selection in the 1996 NFL Draft. Modell had his eyes on Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips, while Newsome was set on selecting Jonathan, a consensus All-America left tackle from UCLA. Reports at the time stated that of the 19 prospects who visited the team during the draft process, only Phillips had dinner with Modell.
Newsome vetoed Modell’s wishes and selected Jonathan — who is in this week's Gold Jacket Spotlight — and to this day he states that he “owed his job to the Ogden selection.”
“There was no doubt when we set the board that Jonathan was our highest-rated player,” Newsome said recalling the relocation and draft process.
Jonathan became the first draft pick in Baltimore Ravens history. A 6-foot-9 stalwart in the trenches, he became an instant starter and finished fifth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Even the Ravens’ offensive line coach at the time, Kirk Ferentz, knew the selection was a no-brainer.
“I remember shutting the projector off. I thought to myself: ‘What I just saw was a 6-8 guy, who looks like he’s 6-11, and 325, and he’s got the agility of a skill (position) player,” Ferentz said. “He pulled through there and hooked up on a safety 15 yards downfield. He did it effortlessly. I reminded myself, ‘This guy’s not normal.’”
Following a decorated collegiate career, Jonathan lived up to the hype in the pros, earning 11 Pro Bowls, and six first-team and five second-team All-Pro recognitions.
“I have the same attitude that I had when I came into the league; I just wanted to be the best offensive lineman I could be,” Jonathan said. “I never thought, ‘I want to be the best offensive lineman to ever play the game.’ I just wanted to be the best I could be, and I knew everything else would work itself out.”
Newsome presented Jonathan at his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2013 — the first Baltimore Ravens player elected.
In his opening remarks, which led to a joyful cheer from Ravens fans in attendance, Jonathan stated, “I want to thank you, Ozzie, for that fantastic introduction. I've often thought about that day back in 1996 when you drafted me instead of Lawrence Phillips. I think that worked out well for everybody.”
Despite not being Modell’s first choice for the first choice, Jonathan thanked the team’s late owner, who had passed away in 2012.
“First and foremost, I'm going to thank Mr. Art Modell. Without a doubt, one of the most generous and kindest individuals that I have ever met. I really wish he could be with me today,” Jonathan said in his Enshrinement speech.
He concluded a few minutes later, fighting back his emotions: “I am so very proud to have been the Baltimore Ravens’ first-ever draft choice, and I am so humbled to be the Baltimore Ravens’ first-ever Hall of Fame inductee. Thank you, all. Thanks.”
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