Jonathan Ogden deserves a statue outside of M&T Bank Stadium

The Baltimore Ravens have honored both Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis and Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas with statues outside of the stadium. For Baltimoreans and many others in Maryland, Lewis and Unitas meant the world to their respective franchises. However, the Ravens are missing a statue of the original Raven, left tackle Jonathan Ogden.

Ogden was selected as the number one overall pick of the 1996 NFL Draft. He would play 12 seasons (1996-2007), being named to the Pro Bowl 11 times. Playing the entirety of his career with Baltimore, Ogden was a four-time First-team All-Pro (1997, 2000, 2002, 2003), five-time Second-team All-Pro selection (1998-1999, 2001, 2004, 2006), a Super Bowl champion in 2001, a member of the Ravens Ring of Honor and a 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Though some may say that an offensive lineman cannot be one of the faces of the franchise, Ogden was definitely that. He was one of, if not the best, left tackle of all-time. He paved the way for how other left tackles were viewed in the NFL. Not to mention, Ogden is still extremely active in the community.

During his time as a Raven and beyond, Ogden has assisted children in the inner city and assisted student-athletes with the Jonathan Ogden Foundation. Ogden’s foundation provides academic assistance with the help of Kelley Bagdasarian, a Boston University graduate and the academic coach of The Jonathan Ogden Club at Patterson High School.

In honor of his work on and off of the field, Ogden deserves a statue in his image outside of M&T Bank Stadium.