Jonathan Ogden may not be out on the football field every Sunday anymore, but America's favorite sport is still a big part of his life. He is now going to translate the passion that he has for the game into a spokesperson role for USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels.
Ogden, an 11-time NFL All-Star and former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle, retired in June 2008 and has now joined the independent non-profit, which conducts 100 annual football training events offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league administrators.
"I'm excited to join the USA Football family," Ogden said. "Playing this game for more than 20 years, it opened doors to life-long friendships, a tremendous education, a Super Bowl ring and more.
"But I didn't get there by myself. Along with my parents, I had coaches to guide me, encouraging me to excel. The lessons I learned playing football will stay with me for life, and I'm proud to share them as a USA Football contributor."
Ogden, who enjoyed a 12-year NFL career and was college football's 1995 Outland Trophy Award winner at UCLA, will promote USA Football and its 2009 Junior National Team, composed of America's top high school student-athletes from the country's 2009 graduating class. USA Football's Junior National Team will compete among an eight-country tournament field spanning four continents in the 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio's Fawcett Stadium next June.
One of the most decorated offensive linemen in NFL history, the Washington, D.C., native and alumnus of the District's St. Alban's High School will represent USA Football on sports radio programs as well as appear on usafootball.com and in the non-profit's quarterly USA Football Magazine. USA Football's members encompass football coaches, game officials and youth league administrators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
"We're proud to have Jonathan join USA Football," said USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck. "Teamwork, sacrifice and responsibility are woven into football's fabric. Those qualities are found in how Jonathan played the sport at every level. His love for the game melded with his integrity and leadership are a great fit for USA Football."
