Jeff Ogden

Jeffrey Matthew Ogden (born February 22, 1975) is a former American football player who was a wide receiver, kickoff and punt returner in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played for the Dallas Cowboys, the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens.^[1] He played college football at Eastern Washington University.

Early years

Ogden was born with a problem in his foot that led specialists to believe that he would have a permanent limp. He eventually overcame the physical problem and turned into a top-ranked youth gymnast.

He attended Snohomish High School, where he never found a position in football, playing as wide receiver, quarterback, running back and defensive back. He also lettered in track.

College career

Following one year spent as a pole vaulter at Clackamas Community College, he walked-on at Eastern Washington University.^[2][3] As a sophomore, he suffered a season-ending back injury after starting the first three games.

Although he only had 13 receptions going into his senior year, he would start 14 games at wide receiver for the 1997 football team that compiled a 12-2 record, won the Big Sky Conference title and advanced to the semifinals of the Division I-AA playoffs. He would lead the team with 57 receptions for 1,148 yards (school record) and 13 receiving touchdowns (tied school record).^[4] He also practiced Gymnastics.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Ogden wasn't selected in the 1998 NFL draft and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys. He had some notable preseason performances, but never developed into a consistent wide receiver. In the regular season he usually was the team's fifth receiver and played mostly on special teams.

In 2000, he was allocated to the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe, where he was one of the top wide receivers in the league and helped his team win World Bowl 2000.^[5] He returned to the team with a sprained foot and later injured the other one, which caused him to miss most of training camp.^[6] On August 22, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a seventh round draft choice, which the team later used to move up to select Pete Hunter.

Miami Dolphins

With the Miami Dolphins, he reunited with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, who was his head coach with the Dallas Cowboys and also found a niche as a returner. Against the Green Bay Packers, he returned a punt for an 81-yard touchdown, the third-longest punt return in team history.^[7] He also finished the season with a league leading and franchise single-season record 17-yard punt return average.^[8] In 2001, his 11.8-yard punt return average ranked eighth in the NFL.^[9]

On September 1, 2002, he was waived after being passed on the depth chart by Albert Johnson. He left as the Dolphins' all-time team leader in punt return average (13.7-yard) and third all-time in punt return yards (700 yards).^[10]

Baltimore Ravens

On September 10, 2002, he was signed as a free agent by the Baltimore Ravens to play on special teams. He appeared in 3 games and was declared inactive in 10, while sharing punt return duties with Chris McAlister. He wasn't re-signed at the end of the season.

Ogden's most productive season as a wide receiver was in 1999, when he caught 12 passes for 144 yards in 10 games. He caught his only touchdown reception in 2001. He ended his professional career playing in 67 games, registering 28 receptions for 304 yards and one touchdown.

Personal life

He owns a fitness club. He was an assistant coach in NFL Europe and at Duquesne University.

He appeared in season 7 of the Bravo show The Millionaire Matchmaker were he sought a woman to date.

References