Future NFL Hall Of Famer Jonathan Ogden To Retire

Jonathan Ogden walked through the lobby at the Baltimore Ravens’ training complex late Wednesday afternoon, strolling past the Vince Lombardi trophy and a portrait of former majority owner Art Modell. It marked the star offensive tackle’s final steps as a football player.

Ogden wore a smile on his face and his trademark casual clothing as he headed into a meeting with team owner Steve Bisciotti to finalize plans to announce his retirement at a press conference this morning.

The inaugural draft pick in franchise history and a foundation on the offensive line for the past dozen seasons who revolutionized the left tackle position with his rare size and graceful footwork, Ogden paused briefly on his way up the stairs to discuss his impending departure from the NFL.

“I’m all right,” Ogden told the Times. “I’m good with it.”

Following a spectacular career where he earned 11 consecutive Pro Bowl selections, Ogden, who turns 34 next month, had struggled with a difficult decision ultimately influenced heavily by a painful turf toe injury that has hindered him for nearly two years.

The injury to his left big toe, originally hyperextended in December of 2006 in a victory over the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium, never fully healed despite over a year of grueling rehabilitation.

Of course, bearing the weight of his 6-foot-9, 345-pound frame didn’t help matters.

While Ogden wrestled with his choice, it wasn’t a surprising move since he had reiterated several times that he was leaning toward trading his helmet and shoulder pads for long days on the links in Las Vegas.

The Washington native leaves the game with a Super Bowl ring, a sterling reputation for stonewalling pass rushers and as a future lock for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013. That would make him the first Ravens draft pick to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.

- Aaron Wilson, Carroll County Times