OJ BRIGANCE COMES BACK TO TOWN; "J.O." CALLS IT QUITS

By Joe Platania

1964 -- Ravens offensive line coach Andy Moeller was born in Grand Rapids, Mich.

1973 -- A 1974 fourth-round pick the Detriot Lions had received from the Colts as part of an earlier trade was dealt back to Baltimore for Jim O'Brien, the kicker whose 32-yard field goal clinched Super Boxl V during the final seconds.

1974 -- The Colts traded nine-year defensive end veteran Roy Hilton, who started in two Super Bowls, to the New York Giants for a 1975 sixth-round pick.

1990 -- Ravens 2012 fourth-round draft pick Christian Thompson, a former South Carolina State safety, was born in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

1996 -- The Ravens announced that they had sold more than 50,000 season tickets for their inaugural Memorial Stadium season during a mere two-week period.

2000 -- Former Baltimore Stallions Grey Cup-winning linebacker/special teamer O.J. Brigance returned to Charm City after signing a free-agent contract with the Ravens. He had been the Miami Dolphins' special-teams captain before coming back to Baltimore.

2001 -- The Ravens added a lead-blocking presence in former Penn State star and multi-team NFL fullback Sam Gash, who went on to catch the team's first touchdown pass of the season that fall.

2001 -- Even though drafting a long snapper during the sixth round was an unusual move, the Ravens did sign Joe Maese to his rookie contract. Maese went on to be the team's snapper for the next four years.

2002 -- The Ravens re-signed stalwart left guard Edwin Mulitalo to a new contract, after he had played out the three years of his rookie contract.

2004 -- The Ravens waived linebacker James Harrison, who had been allocated to NFL Europe, shortly after his return. He went on to become a multiple-Pro Bowl honoree with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2008 -- After a 12-year career that featured 11 straight Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl title, tackle Jonathan Ogden -- the Ravens' first-ever draft pick with the fourth overall selection in 1996 -- announced his retirement during a press conference at the team facility.

Posted June 11, 2012