Ozzie Newsome

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Ozzie Newsome Jr. (born March 16, 1956 in Muscle Shoals) is the general manager of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a star tight end for the Cleveland Browns.

Newsome played receiver and defensive end at Colbert County High School and accepted a scholarship offer to play for Paul "Bear" Bryant at the University of Alabama. Nicknamed "The Wizard of Oz,", Newsome started for all 4 years of his college career. He made the College Football All-America Team in 1977 and assisted the Alabama Crimson Tide football team to a 42-6 overall record during his four seasons. In total, Newsome amassed 102 receptions for 2,070 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. His 20.3 average yards per catch was a Southeastern Conference record for over 20 years.

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." Hewas named the Alabama Player of the Decade for the 1970s. 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.

Newsome was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

Newsome was the 23rd pick in the 1978 NFL Draft for the Cleveland Browns. 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 still stands to this day. In 1986, Newsome won the Ed Block Courage Award for playing with injuries, and in 1990 won the "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award for his community service.

Newsome did not miss a game in his 13-year NFL career, playing in 198 consecutive games as a Brown with 191 starts. He finished his career with 662 receptions and 7,980 yards, both Cleveland franchise records, and 47 touchdowns, fourth all-time. In 1999 Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On November 22, 2002, Newsome was named general manager of the Ravens, making him the first African-American to occupy that position in the NFL. He had previously been a Front Office Executive since 1991 with the Browns.

Newsome earned his first Super Bowl Ring when the Ravens defeated the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV, and earned a second ring after the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII 34-31.

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

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

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