OZZIE NEWSOME’s legacy is unlike any the game of football has witnessed. Flourishing at every point of his football career, Newsome has not just followed a successful path; he has blazed the trail. Known throughout all of sports as a premier leader, Newsome is a Hall of Fame player, the architect of Baltimore’s Super Bowl XXXV and Super Bowl XLVII championship teams and an elite personnel evaluator who became the NFL’s first African American general manager in 2002.
“Ozzie’s credibility is what stands out the most,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh states. “And it’s not just about what he has accomplished. To me, it’s his commitment and focus while striving to do more.”
Newsome’s remarkable football journey began in Leighton, AL, where he first stepped onto the gridiron with the hope of playing college football. That dream turned into a reality when he became a standout at Alabama under Bear Bryant from 1974-77. In 1978, Cleveland selected Newsome in the first round of the NFL Draft. Playing 13 years for the Browns, he authored the most productive career for a tight end in the history of the game. A three-time Pro Bowler, his 662 receptions for 7,980 yards and 47 TDs stood as NFL records by a tight end until Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe surpassed those marks in 2001 (Tony Gonzalez has since set every such record).
Following his storied playing days, Ozzie joined Cleveland’s front office. His initial non-player position came as an assignment scout in 1991. Two years later, he was promoted to a very comprehensive assignment – assistant to the head coach/offense/pro personnel. “I had to find out which direction my career would go,” Newsome explains. “Art [Modell] gave me the opportunity to work with the coaches, and I enjoyed that. At the same time, I increased my experience with the personnel department and decided that’s where I wanted my career to head.”
In 1994, Newsome was named the Browns’ director of pro personnel. Although he continued to help on the field, Ozzie provided detailed studies on other NFL players and recommended which players the Browns should try to acquire. When the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1996, Mr. Modell invited Newsome and promoted him to vice president of player personnel. From that point, Ozzie’s reputation as a supreme talent assessor grew quickly.
In the Ravens’ first-ever draft, Newsome and Co. tabbed T Jonathan Ogden and LB Ray Lewis (the fourth and 26th selections, respectively). Combining to produce an amazing 24 Pro Bowl honors, Ogden became the first Ravens’ draft choice elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2013), while Lewis, who retired following the 2012 campaign, is a surefire lock to be enshrined in Canton. Fittingly, the duo will join Newsome, who was inducted into the Hall as a Brown in 1999.
Amazingly, in the Ravens’ brief history, Newsome and his staff have drafted 17 players who have earned Pro Bowl honors. When including 2006 Pro Bowl LB Bart Scott, 2013 Pro Bowl K Justin Tucker and 2015 Pro Bowl LS Morgan Cox, who signed as undrafted rookie free agents in 2002, 2012 and 2010, respectively, Baltimore has produced 20 homegrown Pro Bowlers in just 20 seasons.
In addition to his knack for evaluating talent on the field, Newsome has also mastered the ability to develop and share insight with the scouts who work under him. The Ravens boast a methodical and disciplined draft process, one that’s foundation is laid years in advance. The “process” includes 20 full-time members of the personnel department, but also has feedback from Ravens coaches.
Newsome also fosters a working environment that breeds standout coaches. By bringing in individuals who embrace the “Raven Way,” Newsome aims to create a synergy that manufactures success among the scouts, coaches and players. As a result, Baltimore has had many of its assistants move on to become or return as head coaches, both on the collegiate and NFL level: Jim Caldwell (Lions), Jack Del Rio (Jaguars/Raiders), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Pat Hill (Fresno State), Hue Jackson (Raiders/Browns), Gary Kubiak (Broncos), Marvin Lewis (Bengals), Eric Mangini (Browns/Jets), Rick Neuheisel (UCLA), Mike Nolan (49ers), Chuck Pagano (Colts), Mike Pettine (Browns), Rex Ryan (Jets/Bills), Jim Schwartz (Lions), David Shaw (Stanford), Mike Singletary (49ers), Mike Smith (Falcons) and Ken Whisenhunt (Cardinals/Titans).
“[Ravens] players believe, and that’s the beauty of it,” states Ryan, who worked with Newsome from 1999-2008. “Ozzie brings in the right kind of players, and one thing we’ve always talked about is we don’t want to coach effort. And that’s the thing – we don’t. [Ravens] guys love to play the game, and those are the guys you surround yourself with. That’s why you have a chance to be successful [in Baltimore].”
Newsome’s motivation and work ethic are also reasons many people respect him. One specific way that devotion shines through is in his everyday routine. If Ozzie’s not in his office or out on the practice field, he can be found on the treadmill in the Ravens’ weight room. Exercising daily (and often putting in two-a-days), Ozzie says his workouts are just another way he tracks the pulse of the team.
“By being around the coaches and players out at practice,” Newsome states, “and being in that weight room around those players, I think I get a chance to build some things in my mind of how I’d like the makeup of our football team.”
(Source: Baltimore Ravens)