Ozzie Newsome

Last updated

Ozzie Newsome
Ozzie Newsome Ravens Training Camp - 53104237446 (cropped).jpg
Newsome in 2023
Baltimore Ravens
Position:Executive vice president/player personnel
Personal information
Born: (1956-03-16) March 16, 1956 (age 68)
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school: Colbert County
(Leighton, Alabama)
College: Alabama (1974–1977)
NFL draft: 1978  / Round: 1 / Pick: 23
Career history
As a player:
As an executive:
  • Cleveland Browns (1991–1992)
    Assignment scout
  • Cleveland Browns (1993)
    Assistant to the head coach/offense/pro personnel
  • Cleveland Browns (1994–1995)
    Director of pro personnel
  • Baltimore Ravens (1996–2001)
    Executive vice president/player personnel
  • Baltimore Ravens (2002–2018)
    General manager
  • Baltimore Ravens (2019–present)
    Executive vice president/player personnel
Career highlights and awards
As player
As executive
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:662
Receiving yards:7,980
Receiving touchdowns:47
Player stats at PFR

Ozzie Newsome Jr. (born March 16, 1956) is an American professional football executive and former player who is the executive vice president of player personnel of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Newsome was a tight end for the NFL's Cleveland Browns, and was general manager of the Ravens from 1996 to 2018. Newsome has been inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame (1994) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999), and is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

College career

Newsome played for Alabama, where he started for all four years of his college career. [4] Nicknamed "The Wizard of Oz", Newsome made the College Football All-America Team in 1977 and assisted the Crimson Tide to a 42–6 overall record during his four seasons. [5] In total, Newsome amassed 102 receptions for 2,070 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, while also returning 40 punts for 301 yards. [6] His 20.3 average yards per catch was a Southeastern Conference record for over 20 years. [7] Newsome was named the Alabama Player of the Decade for the 1970s. [6] He was a two-time All-SEC player (in 1976 and 1977), and named SEC Lineman of the Year in 1977 by the Birmingham Quarterback Club and the Atlanta Touchdown Club. In 1994, Newsome was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. [8] Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant called him "the greatest end in Alabama history and that includes Don Hutson. A total team player, fine blocker, outstanding leader, great receiver with concentration, speed, hands." [9]

Professional career

Newsome was drafted in the first round with the 23rd pick in the 1978 NFL draft for the Cleveland Browns. [4] He was named the Browns' Offensive Player of the Year his rookie year, the first time in 25 years that a rookie had received that honor. Newsome went to the Pro Bowl in 1981, 1984 and 1985. In 1984, Newsome set a franchise record for receiving yards in a game (191) that stood for 29 years until it was broken in 2013 by Josh Gordon (who recorded 237 and 261 yards in back-to-back games). [10] In 1986, Newsome won the Ed Block Courage Award for playing with injuries, and in 1990, he won the Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award for his community service. [6] Though he was never able to play in a Super Bowl, Cleveland made the playoffs seven times during Newsome's career, and made three trips to the AFC championship game.

Newsome finished his career with 662 receptions and 7,980 yards, both Cleveland franchise records, and 47 touchdowns, fifth all-time. When he retired, he was the all-time leader in receptions and yards amongst all NFL tight ends. [11] In 1999, Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [12]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceivingRushingFumbles
GPGSRecYdsY/RLngTDAttYdsY/ALngTDFum
1978 CLE 16163858915.547213967.43321
1979 CLE 16165578114.2749166.0600
1980 CLE 16165159411.64432136.5902
1981 CLE 1010691,00214.562622010.01400
1982 CLE 994963312.954300—000
1983 CLE 16168997010.966600—000
1984 CLE 1615891,00111.252500—000
1985 CLE 16166271111.538500—000
1986 CLE 16163941710.731300—000
1987 CLE 13133437511.025000—000
1988 CLE 1614353439.828200—000
1989 CLE 16132932411.231100—000
1990 CLE 16152324010.438200—000
Career 1981916627,98012.17447181357.53323

Football executive

Newsome was a front office executive with the Cleveland Browns from 1991 until their relocation to Baltimore in 1996; he has remained an executive with the Baltimore Ravens since their inaugural season. On November 22, 2002, Newsome was named the first general manager of the Ravens, making him the first African-American to occupy that position in the NFL. [13]

Newsome earned his first Super Bowl ring when the Ravens defeated the New York Giants 34–7 in Super Bowl XXXV in 2001, and earned a second ring after the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII by a score of 34–31 in 2013. [14]

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti announced on February 2, 2018, that Newsome would step down following the 2018 season and assistant general manager Eric DeCosta would become the team's new GM. [15] Although DeCosta is the team's general manager, Newsome is still employed by the Ravens in an active and significant role and he is listed as executive vice president on the Ravens Official Website. [16] [17]

Other awards

In 2003, Newsome received the United States Sports Academy's highest honor, the Eagle Award, in recognition of his significant contributions to international sport. [18]

Newsome is a member of the Cleveland Browns' "Ring of Honor", becoming a member of the first class inducted on September 19, 2010. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baltimore Ravens</span> National Football League franchise in Baltimore, Maryland

The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays its home games at M&T Bank Stadium and is headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Elway</span> American football player and executive (born 1960)

John Albert Elway Jr. is an American former professional football quarterback who spent his entire 16-year career with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Following his playing career, he then spent 11 years with the Broncos in various front office positions, eventually being promoted to general manager. Elway, along with former backup quarterback and head coach Gary Kubiak, are the only individuals to be associated with all three of the Broncos' Super Bowl wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shannon Sharpe</span> American football player and sports analyst (born 1968)

Shannon Sharpe is an American former football tight end who played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Denver Broncos. Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, he ranks third in tight end receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He was also the first NFL tight end to amass over 10,000 receiving yards. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Ben Terrence Coates, Jr. is an American former football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons, primarily with the New England Patriots. He played college football at Livingstone College and was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL draft, where spent all but one season of his professional career. In his final season, he was a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Lewis (American football)</span> American football player (born 1979)

Jamal Lewis is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected fifth overall by the Ravens in the 2000 NFL draft. After spending his first seven seasons with the Ravens, Lewis signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns before the 2007 season and retired after the 2009 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Ogden</span> American football player (born 1974)

Jonathan Phillip Ogden is an American former professional football offensive tackle and spent his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Ravens with the 4th overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft, making him the first Ravens draft selection. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection and a nine-time All-Pro. Ogden won Super Bowl XXXV with the Ravens in 2001.

Jackie Larue Smith is an American former football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Northwestern State Demons. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Hannah (American football)</span> American football player (born 1951)

John Allen Hannah, nicknamed "Hog", is an American former football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the New England Patriots. He played college football at the University of Alabama, where he twice received All-American honors, and was selected fourth overall by the Patriots in the 1973 NFL draft. Named by Sports Illustrated magazine in 1981 as "the best offensive lineman of all time", Hannah received nine Pro Bowl and seven first-team All-Pro selections. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. In 1991 he became the inaugural inductee of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Mackey (American football)</span> American football player (1941–2011)

John Mackey was an American professional football player who was a tight end for the Baltimore Colts and the San Diego Chargers. He was born in Roosevelt, New York and attended Syracuse University. He was the first president of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) following the AFL-NFL merger, serving from 1970 to 1973. Mackey was also a major reason the NFLPA created the "88 Plan", which financially supports ex-players who required living assistance in later years.

Phillip Savage Jr. is an American football executive, author and media personality, who currently serves as the Senior Football Advisor for the New York Jets. In 2019 he was the general manager for the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He was the senior vice president and general manager of the Browns from 2005 to 2008. He served as director of player personnel for the Baltimore Ravens under general manager Ozzie Newsome, a former Browns' player and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, from 2003 to 2004. He was a scout for the Browns from 1993 to 1995. He was also the former general manager of the Cleveland Browns and the executive director for the Senior Bowl.Phil Savage also served as the color announcer for The Alabama Crimson Tide alongside Eli Gold for several years with the Crimson Tide Sports Network, and worked as a guest host, for Sirius XM Sports Radio for several years, before joining the NY Jets. Phil Savage was also on ESPN for several years as a guest host.

The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League (NFL). The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 34–7, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilbert Montgomery</span> American football player and coach (born 1954)

Wilbert Montgomery is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine years with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions. He also served as the running backs and tight ends coach for St. Louis Rams (1997–2005), the running backs coach for the Lions (2006–2007), the Baltimore Ravens (2008–2013) and the Cleveland Browns (2014–2015).

The 1978 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 2–3, 1978, at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, New York. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.

Eric DeCosta is an American football executive who is the executive vice president and general manager of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL).

John B. Wooten is an American former professional football player who was a guard for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins. Wooten played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes and was selected in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft.

The 1980 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 35th overall, and 31st season in the National Football League. The Browns finished the regular season with eleven wins and five losses, and their first division title since 1971, winning a tiebreaker with the Houston Oilers. The 1980 Browns were known as the Kardiac Kids for having several games decided in the final moments. The 1980 season was the first time that Cleveland had qualified for the postseason since 1972. Also, for the second straight year, Browns head coach Sam Rutigliano was named NFL Coach of the Year, and quarterback Brian Sipe was named the league's Most Valuable Player.

George Kokinis is an American football executive who is the vice president of player personnel for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the general manager of the Cleveland Browns in 2009. Kokinis began his NFL scouting career with the Browns in 1991 and stayed with the team upon their rebranding as the Ravens in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Browns–Ravens rivalry</span> National Football League rivalry

The Browns–Ravens rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. The rivalry began in 1999, with the resumption of the Browns' franchise, which was created as a result of the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy. The rivalry between the Browns and Ravens was more directed at former Browns owner Art Modell than the team itself, and has, by most Ravens fans, been simply considered a divisional game.

The National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team was voted on by a panel consisting of media members, former players and league personnel in 2019 to honor the greatest players of the first 100 years of the National Football League (NFL). Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald, and Adam Vinatieri were the only active players when the team was revealed, while Bill Belichick was the only active head coach to be selected. Tom Brady was the last active player after his retirement following the 2022 NFL season. Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, Don Hutson, Chuck Bednarik, Gino Marchetti, and Dick "Night Train" Lane are also part of the NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Travis Tyrone Tucker is a former American football tight end who played three seasons for the Cleveland Browns.

References

  1. ↑ Scott, J.P. (June 21, 2022). "25 Greatest Tight Ends in NFL History". Athlon Sports. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  2. ↑ Fragoza, James (October 24, 2021). "13 greatest tight ends of all time from Tony Gonzalez to Jackie Smith". Pro Football Network. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  3. ↑ Brandt, Gil. "Gil Brandt's 14 greatest NFL tight ends of all time". NFL.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Max Strauss (February 21, 2011). "Hall of Fame Tight End, Current Ravens General Manager, Ozzie Newsome Interview". prointerviews.org.
  5. ↑ "SB Nation College Football Hall Of Fame Inductee Ozzie Newsome". SBNation. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 "Ozzie Newsome Jr". The Encyclopedia of Alabama. January 18, 2012. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  7. ↑ Brandon Larrabee. "Alabama's Ozzie Newsome Inducted Into SB Nation College Football Hall Of Fame". SBNation. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  8. ↑ Ozzie "The Wizard of Oz" Newsome at the College Football Hall of Fame
  9. ↑ Bob Gain (January 26, 2008). "Players reflections on Paul W. "Bear" Bryant". TideSports.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Josh Gordon sets NFL record". ESPN. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  11. ↑ Steve King. "Hall of Fame Ozzie Newsome - Tight End". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Hall of Famers Ozzie Newsome". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  13. ↑ "History: African-Americans in Pro Football". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Super Bowl XLVII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens - February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome to step down after 2018". NFL.com. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Ozzie Newsome's new title? New Ravens GM thinking consigliere". ESPN. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Ravens". www.baltimoreravens.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Ozzie Newsome Jr". The Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  19. ↑ Barry Barnes (August 26, 2010). "Ozzie Newsome to Receive Honor at Cleveland Browns Stadium". AOL News. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.