Like most athletes who make it to the National Football League, former Pittsburgh Steelers standout Joey Porter Sr. had his share of early setbacks despite being named an All-Pro four times during his storied NFL career.
He remembers one particular instance from his first encounter with Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden, one of the best offensive linemen of all time.
Joey Porter recently told Cam Heyward on the Not Just Football podcast that her “welcome to the NFL moment” was when she ran her mouth on Jonathan Ogden. I am a novice. In Baltimore, we’re performing. Week 2 or Week 3 is about right now. Although I’m just entering on a few third-down plays, I’m talking trash to Ogden. That’s not actually how I play. I’m staring at him. I’m observing the size of his sneakers. Additionally, I feel good about myself.
I’m like, This guy wore [cleats] in a size 18. He will never be able to block me and kick back that quickly. I mean, he’s like 370 or 6-8. He appeared enormous, resembling an actual ogre. I can’t possibly run around him.
Porter began disparaging the 6-foot-9, 345-pound Ogden before his first play against the huge Baltimore Ravens tackle.
This guy is cooked, I think. I’m speaking now. I was unaware that I was opposing Kung Fu Panda. I mean, no one warned me that his [crap] feet would be so quick. Joey Porter remarked, “He looked big, but that was Kung Fu Panda.” For a large man, he was quick. I turn the corner and start chatting while sloshing my mouth.
He glances over his shoulder to see who is speaking, then simply nods at me before returning to the group. And I’m diving in over there. I widened. “Yeah, I’m getting all the way out here,” I replied. His [expletive] will be brought out here to the HOV lane. This is the quickest route.
Porter soon discovered that Ogden was already regarded as one of the sport’s top left tackles for a reason.
He had faith in his skills, but as soon as the play started, that faith vanished.
I got out, I’m getting better, and I believe I’m dipped and low. Porter remarked, “Man, he splashed me and pushed me down.” My heart simply dropped all of its weight. I simply watched it go off to the sidelines, and I followed it.
because I was forced to leave the game. I got splattered by him. When you’re just receiving a few snaps and you have to pull yourself out, that’s the worst. That wasn’t good.
Porter learned from the moment that although he was gifted, he still needed to improve his skills in order to compete with the best.
He went on to win a Super Bowl and receive four All-Pro accolades, so naturally, his career ended up going quite well.
Alongside Ogden “All right,” I replied, “I’m not there yet to be speaking [expletive] to him.” “I immediately realized that,” Porter remarked.
He’s certainly a Hall of Famer, and I was speaking to a Hall of Famer my rookie year, so I know I need to get my act together when I visit Baltimore. He also made it clear to me that I’m not one of them. I am HIM.
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