Jared Gaither
Encyclopedia
Jared Gaither is an American football
offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers
of the National Football League
. He was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens
in the fifth round of the 2007 Supplemental Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Maryland
.
He has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs
.
at Eleanor Roosevelt High School
before playing football
in his senior year at Hargrave Military Academy
. He originally verbally committed to the University of South Carolina basketball team
, but later changed to football. He played defensive tackle and tight end
. He recorded 89 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 4 passes deflected.
and honorable mention by The Sporting News
. He allowed no sack
s in 583 snaps played (all at left tackle) and committed 2 penalties.
As a sophomore, Jared played in twelve games and helped the Terps offensive line allow just 19 sacks all season. He was a member of the 2006 preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy
, a consensus preseason All-ACC choice, and ranked No. 7 nationally among offensive tackles by The Sporting News
.
told reporters that Gaither's grades failed to meet his expectations, that he would not be able to play in 2007 and he would be eligible to return in 2008. Instead, Gaither declared for the NFL's supplemental draft and on July 12 was taken by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round. Gaither took over Jonathan Ogden
's starting left tackle role after Ogden's retirement. Jared, at 6'9, is one of the tallest players in the NFL, the others being Dennis Roland
of the Cincinnati Bengals
and Demar Dotson
of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
.
During the start of off-season camps for the 2008-2009 NFL season, Cam Cameron declared Jared would be the starting left tackle. Despite an early ankle injury during the beginning of training camp, Jared has played surprisingly well and is a big reason for the improved offensive line of the Baltimore Ravens.
On October 4, 2009, he suffered a head injury in a game vs. the New England Patriots
and was sent to the hospital. He was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital
, and had movement in his arms and legs. In addition, x-rays on his neck and shoulder were negative. Gaither missed all of 2010 after an injury put him on Injured Reserve (IR)
. He was waived on November 29.
on November 30.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
offensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
in the fifth round of the 2007 Supplemental Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
.
He has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
.
Early years
Gaither played basketball for his first three years of high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
at Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Greenbelt, Maryland)
Eleanor Roosevelt High School , is a Maryland public magnet high school specializing in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. The school was established in 1978 at its current location in Greenbelt, Maryland and is part of the Prince George's County Public Schools system...
before playing football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
in his senior year at Hargrave Military Academy
Hargrave Military Academy
Hargrave Military Academy is a private American boarding school located in the town of Chatham, Virginia.Hargrave is a school affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia emphasizing Christian values that focuses on a college and military preparatory program...
. He originally verbally committed to the University of South Carolina basketball team
South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
, but later changed to football. He played defensive tackle and tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
. He recorded 89 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 4 passes deflected.
College career
As a true freshman at the University of Maryland in 2005, Gaither played in all 11 games and started the last 8. He was named a third team Freshman All-American by College Football NewsCollege Football News
College Football News is a magazine and website published by College Football News, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. News coverage includes scores, statistics, rankings, and reports on college football games. Analysis includes comparisons between teams, predictions of game outcomes and...
and honorable mention by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
. He allowed no sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
s in 583 snaps played (all at left tackle) and committed 2 penalties.
As a sophomore, Jared played in twelve games and helped the Terps offensive line allow just 19 sacks all season. He was a member of the 2006 preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
, a consensus preseason All-ACC choice, and ranked No. 7 nationally among offensive tackles by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
.
Baltimore Ravens
Gaither did not participate in 2007 spring practices at Maryland because of academic problems. On June 25, Terps coach Ralph FriedgenRalph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
told reporters that Gaither's grades failed to meet his expectations, that he would not be able to play in 2007 and he would be eligible to return in 2008. Instead, Gaither declared for the NFL's supplemental draft and on July 12 was taken by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round. Gaither took over Jonathan Ogden
Jonathan Ogden
Jonathan Phillip Ogden is a former American football offensive tackle who played for the Baltimore Ravens.-College:He received his education at St. Albans School, excelling not only in football but also in track and field...
's starting left tackle role after Ogden's retirement. Jared, at 6'9, is one of the tallest players in the NFL, the others being Dennis Roland
Dennis Roland
Dennis Roland, Jr. is an American football offensive tackle who plays for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Georgia.Roland has also been a member of the Tampa Bay...
of the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
and Demar Dotson
Demar Dotson
Demar Dotson is an American football offensive lineman for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Southern Mississippi.-External links:**...
of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
.
During the start of off-season camps for the 2008-2009 NFL season, Cam Cameron declared Jared would be the starting left tackle. Despite an early ankle injury during the beginning of training camp, Jared has played surprisingly well and is a big reason for the improved offensive line of the Baltimore Ravens.
On October 4, 2009, he suffered a head injury in a game vs. the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
and was sent to the hospital. He was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
, and had movement in his arms and legs. In addition, x-rays on his neck and shoulder were negative. Gaither missed all of 2010 after an injury put him on Injured Reserve (IR)
Kansas City Chiefs
On August 11, 2011, Gaither signed with the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. He was waived on November 29.
San Diego Chargers
Gaither was claimed off waivers by the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on November 30.