Jonathan Ogden retires from the NFL

Owings Mills -- Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, a Pro Bowl choice in 11 of his 12 NFL seasons, announced his retirement Thursday.

Ogden, 33, ended his playing career after a nagging left big toe injury would not respond to constant medical treatment. The injury limited the former No. 1 draft pick to just 11 games last season, the fewest in his career.

He was chosen by the Ravens in the first round of the 1996 NFL draft following an all-American career at UCLA.

"It means that (family members, team officials and current and former Ravens' players) appreciate what I brought to the organization," Ogden said at news conference at team headquarters in Owings Mills, Md. "Football teams are like families and it's good to see that the other members care."

The 6-foot-9 inch, 345-pound native of Washington joins other likely hall-of-famers Brett Favre, Warren Sapp and Michael Strahan in retirement since the end of the 2007 season.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.