Distinguished All-Met
[Roman Oben, Gonzaga]
Roman Oben played with four teams, including the San Diego Chargers, in 12 NFL seasons. He has two degrees and one Super Bowl ring (with Tampa Bay).
(2007 Photo By K.c. Alfred -- The San Diego Union/getty Images)
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Even as he played 12 years in the National Football League as an offensive tackle, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Roman Oben never felt fully grown.
Oben has spent a lifetime politely shaking off compliments from those who marvel at how much he has accomplished -- beginning with him emigrating from Cameroon at age 4 with his mother, Marie, to earning All-Met honors in track and field at Gonzaga in 1990, to being a standout football player at the University of Louisville to his pro football career that includes a Super Bowl title with Tampa Bay.
Oben hears each plaudit tell him that he's surpassed all expectations, yet thinks to himself, "I can achieve more."
"I always looked at football as just a part of the bigger picture," he said. "I knew I had to make sacrifices and I think that's what made me better in football. The biggest misnomer is, 'Make sure you get your degree, so you have something to fall back on.' I never looked at a college degree as something to fall back on; that's something you have to have."
Never more did that misnomer manifest itself than when Oben was a rookie with the New York Giants in 1996. Armed with a degree in economics from Louisville, Oben still wanted to attain his master's in public administration from Farleigh Dickinson University. He would go to classes after practice, but didn't tell any teammates for fear his academic zest would be viewed as a compromise to his football commitment.
Oben said he gets upset hearing this sentiment among high schoolers now.
"Recruiting has become such an ugly animal," Oben said. "Instead of selling a great university, [recruiters] are just telling you that you're going to be a first-round draft pick in four years, and [recruits] are just looking at this as a stop along the way."
It never deterred Oben. After earning his master's, Oben worked in offices of two congressmen, handling tasks such as taking constituent phone calls. Oben said it nurtured his intellect.
As a representative to the NFL Players Association for three teams during his career, Oben helped secure benefits for continuing education and health care. He has also worked with the union to help devise long-term plans for players once they retire that go beyond charity golf tournaments and autograph sessions.
Oben, who retired after the 2007 season and spends much of his time working with his eponymous foundation to promote football, literacy and community outreach among youth, knows there will be a day for every athlete when the playing field will disappear. He said he wants them prepared for it.
"Some people grow up pretty young, some people don't grow up until they're 35," he said. "Sooner or later, though, you're going to have to be a leader in some aspect."
