USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, announced today that 11-time NFL All-Star and former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle JONATHAN OGDEN has joined the independent non-profit in a spokesperson role. USA Football conducts 100 annual football training events offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league administrators.
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."
"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."
About USA Football
USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, hosts 100 football training events annually offering education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players and resources for youth football league commissioners. The independent non-profit also manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competitions and provides nearly $1 million in equipment grants and youth league volunteer background check subsidies. USA Football was started by the NFL and NFLPA in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund and is chaired by former U.S. Congressman and professional quarterback JACK KEMP.
