Ogden inducted as Ravens’ first Hall of Fame player

By Barry Wilner, Associated Press

Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013 | 5:38 p.m.

CANTON, Ohio — As relaxed as if he had no one to block, Jonathan Ogden became the first Baltimore Raven enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ogden was the leadoff inductee Saturday night in his seven-member class, just as he was the first player drafted by the Ravens after the franchise moved from Cleveland in 1996 and was renamed. The man who made that selection, fellow Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome, now Baltimore's general manager, presented the massive offensive tackle who lives in Henderson.

Newsome was one of more than 120 hall members, a record, who returned to Fawcett Stadium for the festivities as the hall celebrates its 50th anniversary.

A former college shot putter, at 6-foot-9, 345 pounds, Ogden was an imposing presence at tackle for a dozen seasons in Baltimore, winning the 2000 NFL championship. Six months after the Ravens won their second Super Bowl, Ogden gave a smooth, humor-laden speech, always in control — just like he was when neutralizing even the best opponents.

"He is part of the foundation of this franchise, part of the reason we have two Super Bowl championships," Newsome said.

Ogden, who was given a 2013 Super Bowl ring by the team, made the hall in his first year of eligibility. He was a six-time All-Pro, made the Pro Bowl 11 times and was the main blocker when Jamal Lewis rushed for 2.066 yards in 2003.

"Talent isn't enough," Ogden said. "A lot of people have talent, they don't always live up to it. For me it is about maximizing, striving for perfection.

"I am so proud to be the Baltimore Ravens' first Hall of Fame inductee."