title: Eric Ogbogu
text: # Eric Ogbogu
  
  Eric O. Ogbogu (born July 18, 1975) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Dallas Cowboys. He previously played college football at the University of Maryland.
  
  ## Early years
  
  Ogbogu attended Archbishop Stepinac High School. He didn't start practicing football until his freshman year in high school, because he suffered from Blount's disease as a child.
  
  He played fullback, linebacker and sometimes tight end. As a senior, he rushed for 1,803 yards and was one of the top ranked running backs in the state, while averaging 8 tackles per game as a linebacker. He also lettered in basketball.
  
  ## College career
  
  Ogbogu accepted a football a scholarship from the University of Maryland. He played 5 games at tight end as a freshman. As a sophomore, he almost quit school after his father was killed in a carjacking in his native Nigeria. He was moved to defensive end that season, recording 45 tackles (12 for losses) and led the team with 6 sacks.
  
  As a junior, he posted 64 tackles and led the team with 7 sacks. As a senior, he was limited with a sprained ankle and had 43 tackles (eighth on the team), 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries.
  
  He finished ranked fifth in school history in career sacks (18½). He was named the MVP for the winning South team in the 1998 Hula Bowl after registering 4 sacks.
  
  ## Professional career
  
  ### New York Jets
  
  Ogbogu was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round (163rd overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he had 8 tackles in 12 games. In 1999, he made 12 tackles, one sack, one pass defensed and 2 fumble recoveries in 14 games (2 inactive).
  
  In 2000, he entered training camp as the starter at right defensive end, but suffered a shoulder injury before the first preseason game. He was waived/injured on August 5 and was placed on the injured reserve list on August 7. In 2001, he had 24 tackles and one fumble recovery.
  
  ### Cincinnati Bengals
  
  On April 29, 2002, he was signed as a free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals. He registered 4 tackles in 12 games (4 inactive). He wasn't re-signed after the season.
  
  ### Dallas Cowboys
  
  On August 11, 2003, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent, reuniting with Bill Parcells, who coached him with the New York Jets. He collected 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 quarterback pressures and 3 forced fumbles.
  
  Ogbogu was mostly a backup at defensive end and outside linebacker, but had a memorable game on Thanksgiving Day in 2004 against the Chicago Bears, racking up 3½ sacks, second most in franchise history (Bob Lilly and Jim Jeffcoat are first with five sacks). He finished 11 tackles, 4.5 sacks (third on the team), 6 quarterback pressures, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery. In 2005, he was declared inactive in 10 games, had 2 quarterback pressures and wasn't re-signed at the end of the season.
  
  ## Personal life
  
  Ogbogu is also the official star and spokesperson of the Under Armour brand, and is named "Big E" in the Under Armour commercials, after being hired by founder and former Maryland teammate Kevin Plank. His saying, "We must protect this house!" has been made famous from these advertisements. He was featured as "Big E" on EA Sports Fight Night Round 3. He also starred in the movie The Game Plan as the defensive end Drake.
  
  