Legendary Baltimore Raven Jonathan Ogden Has Another Successful Charity Golf Outing
Organizing successful charity events and raising money for children has come as naturally to Jonathan Ogden as protecting his offense was in his playing days with the Baltimore Ravens. For the fifth straight year, Jonathan Ogden’s annual golf outing which took place in Las Vegas, was a success. Ogden started the foundation back in 1997, which aids underprivileged children in both academics and athletics in the Baltimore area. The students who participated in his foundation’s programs have benefitted greatly and gone on to earn higher grades and SAT scores. Many other athletes and celebrities such as Julius Erving, Marshall Faulk and Jim Fassel, just to name a few, were on hand to support the cause.
“It went real good. It was a little hotter than I was hoping for but everybody had a good time. We raised some money and that’s what it’s all about. So a successful day,” he told Class Act Sports after wrapping up his golf outing in Las Vegas in June 2012.
Ogden, who is eligible for the Hall of Fame next season, will surely get in, but his success in the NFL has not gotten to his head.
“It means that I am just glad other people have the same aspirations. They want to help me, I go help them at their tournaments. We all kind of live by the same motto that athletics did a lot of good for us, and anytime anybody can give back, why not go do it? It’s the least we can do. I’m thankful I have friends that feel the same way and I am glad they are able to come out here and help out,” he said.
The golfing was all in fun, but Ogden’s team almost won the whole thing.
“It was close. We tied for second but I don’t want to win my own outing. People will accuse me of cheating,” Ogden said.
Ogden’s Foundation helps underprivileged children in the Baltimore area. It focuses on education for high school athletes, and the numbers have shown how much of an impact the foundation has made. They include higher SAT scores and also a 100 percent high school graduation rate.
“I try to keep it going just because it is needed. You know, what this tournament benefits, it is definitely something that is needed, so even though I am retired, it doesn’t stop kids from needing help,” he told Class Act Sports.
The future first ballot Hall of Famer is excited and appreciative to have helped kids through his Foundation.
“If I can do something to even help one kid out, it is worth it. But over the years, we have helped I believe over 100 kids have gotten some partial or full scholarships from us, and they are all making something out of their lives and I am just thankful that I was able to help out.” Ogden said at the event.
After another successful golf outing, Ogden was able to take a deep breath and realize what he’d accomplished. But he said there’s not much time off before the next event, which was just fine by him.
“It’s nice. You look forward to it but you are also happy when it’s over. At the same time, we just keep planning it again. We got one next year we have to get ready for. We got some events, a boxing event in Baltimore, some poker events. We are always doing charitable things for the foundation. This one’s over, move on to the next one,” Ogden said.
