Ryan Jensen Almost Quit Football
February 2nd, 2021
Now there’s a real explanation of why center Ryan Jensen plays like an angry madman most of the time.
It’s Super Bowl week, so the media spotlight is shining brighter and deeper on Buccaneers across the Tampa Bay roster.
This morning was Ryan Jensen’s turn on national radio. The Bucs center was asked to talk about his NFL journey.
Jensen, speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio, explained that he arrived on scholarship at Colorado State University Pueblo as a 6-3, 235-pound offensive lineman. As a freshman, Jensen was asked to play left tackle, and he said his first year was all about physical survival.
Yeah, it was Division-II, Jensen said, but he was undersized and playing literally felt like fighting for his physical life. He almost walked away from football after that season he said.
That experience led to Jensen’s hyper-aggressive and physical game today.
“It was literally a survival mechanism for me,” Jensen said battling as a small left tackle. “That nastiness stayed with me.”
Encouragement came from college coaches and Jensen added weight. And then after junior year came a pivotal moment from an NFL team scout who was having trouble with struggling with a film setup and sought out Jensen.
“[The scout said, ‘Hey, are you 66 on the film?” Jensen explained. “I go, ‘Yeah.’ He goes, ‘Keep playing the way you’re playing and you’re going to have a real shot at getting at least and invite to [training] camp.’ And, you know, that was a huge turning point for me.”
The rest is history. Jensen was a sixth-round pick of the Ravens in 2013, and then Jason Licht made him the NFL’s highest-paid center in 2018.
February 2nd, 2021 at 12:15 am
And he has been worth every penny. Jensen is an American Bada$$.
February 2nd, 2021 at 12:38 am
How many times have we seen our RB get stopped, only to have Jensen slam into the back of him and gain us another 2 or 3 yards?
🙂
February 2nd, 2021 at 1:41 am
Heck ya Cannon I love when I see Jensen slam into the back of the RB and shove both him and the would-be tacklers a couple yards back!
February 2nd, 2021 at 2:48 am
Ryan has really cleaned up the dumb penalties that he would make during games over the last couple of years. Very fun to see Ryan blocking players into the 5th row of the stands. lol lol Just ask the Saints Ancilone, Ryan owned him. And yes it is good to see him help push the pile for extra yards as the others have said. Very glad he is playing for the Bucs. GO BUCS!!!!!
February 2nd, 2021 at 3:40 am
Who in their right mind would want to line up across from Jensen ?
February 2nd, 2021 at 6:25 am
I love watching this guy finish blocks! He is literally whistle to whistle (sometimes a bit more!).
February 2nd, 2021 at 6:42 am
All it took was the Goat to tame the Red Dragon, lol
February 2nd, 2021 at 6:48 am
Well deserved. Love to watch that guy play and especially when he gets in the mix for a teammate. We have NEVER had a guy at Jensen’s skill level with that sort of mean (in a good way) streak. Fires up fans so you can bet it fires up his teammates
February 2nd, 2021 at 7:20 am
Jensen is the guy that literally pokes the bear until the bear responds and gets a penalty. He is leader of oline. Another great licht free agent signing
February 2nd, 2021 at 7:31 am
He is the definition of professional football. This guy could of played when Lambert, Butkus played he’s that mean & tough. I can only imagine a def lineman watching tape on him trying to figure out, how do I keep from getting knocked on my ass all day. The penalties were a concern but he seems to have that in check now.
February 2nd, 2021 at 7:49 am
That passion is infectious…….
February 2nd, 2021 at 7:55 am
Onetrickpony Says:
February 2nd, 2021 at 3:40 am
Who in their right mind would want to line up across from Jensen ?
There is only one. Luckily he’s on our team and only has to face Jensen in practice. 😁
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:15 am
Ryan always reminds me of Danny Bonaduce.
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:40 am
Jensen epitomizes the attitude that an o-lineman should bring on every play. Blast the man in front of you as if it’s do or die and then continue to play mean until the whistle blows. Love it!
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:49 am
Count me in on the “glad he didn’t quit” bandwagon!