UCLA football has produced a lot of great players, but none better than Jonathan Ogden. The dominant offensive lineman is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ogden played his position as well and as completely as any player who has ever played the sport of football. Fortunately, Ogden’s personal success led to team success. He won Super Bowl XXXV as a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore defeated the New York Giants, the first of the Ravens’ two Super Bowl titles.
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“That defense, led by linebacker Ray Lewis, shattered a defensive milestone along the way. The unit broke the 1986 Chicago Bears’ record for the fewest points allowed in a season, besting it by 1.4 points per game. In a league that favors offense more than ever, this is a record that legitimately could be held by Baltimore forever.
“Yet the Ravens weren’t heavy favorites over the Giants entering Super Bowl XXXV. Despite its historic defense and an offense that surprisingly found its groove in the postseason, outscoring their first three playoff opponents 61-16, Baltimore was a three-point favorite against New York, according to ESPN.”
Baltimore dominated the Giants, 34-7. The Ravens did not allow an offensive touchdown to New York. In the third quarter, three touchdowns were scored in a span of 36 seconds. The Ravens scored on a pick-six to go up 17-0. The Giants returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. 17-7. The Ravens returned the next kickoff for a touchdown. 24-7.
The Ravens held the Giants to 152 yards and forced five turnovers. Brian Billick was the winning coach, Trent Dilfer the winning quarterback with Jonathan Ogden protecting him. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens, crowned champions in January of 2001, produced one of the greatest defenses in NFL history and forged the crowning moment which elevates that defense’s place in the annals of pro football. Jonathan Ogden did his part. His brilliance, immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame years later, was rewarded on that night in Tampa.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Jonathan Ogden’s Super Bowl victory is now 25 years old
Reporting by Matt Zemek, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
