Jonathan Ogden Elected To The Hall of Fame

Jan 31, 2013, Kenner, LA, USA; Jonathan Ogden at the eighth annual NFL Foundation Celebrity Bowling Classic at the AMF All-Star Lanes. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens first ever draft pick just became the first true Ravens player to ever be elected to the Hall of Fame. Ogdn was a first ballot electee and will join Larry Allen(also a first Ballot Electee), Bill Parcells, Warren Sapp(another First Ballot member) and Chris Carter. I will get back to Ogden in a second, but speaking to Chris Carter, his wait was far far to long. for a guy that made as many plays and scored as many TDs as he did, the long wait is a joke. With Carter getting in this year, it is very likely that either Andre Reed or Tim Brown, who are both deserving but have been victims of a vote split between three great receivers creating a log jam at the position, will get in next year.

Ogden was the best offensive lineman in the NFL for over a decade, during which the offensive line had more talent than perhaps any other time in NFL history. Ogden deserved the election because he was the best player when all the other players were better than ever. Truly the best of the best. Ogden was also a career Raven.

On a sad note, Art Modell once again was denied access to the Hall. Art is probably the most important figure in NFL history who is not currently in the hall already. Modell should have been elected years ago and the fact that he has been denied once again is a shame. It is very sad that Modell wasn’t able to live to see the day he was elected, the fact of the matter at this point is that Art will be getting in one day, he deserves it, we just might have to wait until the Browns are good again and Browns fans will let it go. Art did a whole lot more than just bring football back to Baltimore, he was instrumental in the NFLs popularity explosion by doing TV deals, including pioneering monday night football. At this point i guess it doesnt matter whether Art is elected today or 10 years from now, the voters missed the opportunity for Art to be alive to see it so time has become meaningless at this point. Modell will get in, it just continues to be a shame when he misses it each year.