The news conference to announce offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden’s retirement seemed more joyous and light-hearted than those you’ve seen on television. No tears were shed, and a smile never seemed to leave Ogden’s face.

Ogden, in fact, played the role of stand-up comic with a few well-timed quips. His first zinger involved thanking general manager Ozzie Newsome for using the franchise’s first pick in the 1996 draft on the massive offensive tackle from UCLA rather than former Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips. “I think that was a good decision,” Ogden said.

Asked if a return was out of the question, Ogden said enthusiastically, “Oh yeah. You ain’t got to worry about me coming back. That won’t be happening.”

Ogden recalled getting handed a white Ravens baseball cap with black block lettering when his name was announced during the draft. “I’m like, ‘What is this?’” he said, drawing hearty laughs from the crowd. “We didn’t have colors, we didn’t have logos, we didn’t have nothing. And I remember coming to minicamp and my first rookie card, I got a white helmet on.”

Ogden seemed to chafe at the suggestion that he redefined the left tackle position. “I always thought Anthony Munoz defined the position. [He was] the first one, but you know, if people want to say I was the next one to redefine it, I’m very happy with that, and I’ll take that. I’m not going to be too modest anymore. I’m retired.”

Newsome also got into the act, especially when Ogden’s three-year-old son, Jayden, began to talk during Newsome’s opening statement. “We’ve got Jayden talking, and he’s already committed to come to Alabama,” Newsome said, referring to his alma mater. “So I’m happy about that.”

The biggest laughs, however, may have belonged to former Denver Broncos and current Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce, who recalled playing against Ogden on Dec. 11, 2005 -- less than a year removed from missing the 2004 season with an injured back. “I come around the corner and thought, ‘Oh, he’s 380 pounds. Let’s try to throw him out of the way.’ I don’t think he lifted a foot off the ground. In the middle of the play, he said, ‘Oh man, are you all right? You can’t do that. Your back hurts,’” Pryce said. “That was my most vivid memory. In the middle of the play, he’s trying to help me out.”

Top photo from today's news conference by Sun photographer Karl Merton Ferron; 1996 photo: AP