Gerald Ostroski Jr. (born July 12, 1970) is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL).
College career
After a standout high school career[1] at Owen J. Roberts High School, Jerry Ostroski played college football at The University of Tulsa, starting every game as a sophomore, junior, and senior. He was selected first-team All-American in 1991 after leading TU to a 10–2 season and victory in the Freedom Bowl. In 1999, Ostroski was named to Tulsa's All-Century Team.[2] On October 27, 2018, Tulsa retired Ostroski’s No. 55 jersey.[3]
Professional career
Ostroski was drafted in the tenth round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.[4] Ostroski played 106 games (8 years) in the NFL, all with the Bills; he started 102 games at the center, offensive guard, and offensive tackle positions. In his 7th year, 2000, the last of three under head coach Wade Phillips, when the Bills had an 8–8 won-lost record, Ostroski became their starting center, replacing Dusty Zeigler who went to play with the Giants, playing between left guard Ruben Brown and right guard Jamie Nails in all 16 games.[5] However, in 2001, Bill Conaty became the center and Ostroski showed his versatility again and moved to right guard.
After recovering from a broken leg in the 2001 preseason, he injured a knee late in the season versus the Atlanta Falcons. Ostroski won the Ed Block Courage Award[6] in 2001.[7]
Due to his knee injury, Ostroski retired on August 27, 2002.[8]
References
- ^ "Freedom Bowl : After Monday, Ostroski Hopes He Will Be Playing on Sundays : Tulsa: Offensive guard, the school's first All-American in 19 years, has his eyes on the NFL, particularly the Philadelphia Eagles". Los Angeles Times. December 25, 1991.
- ^ "TULSA FOOTBALL ALL-CENTURY TEAM". Oklahoman.com. August 8, 1999.
- ^ World, Kelly Hines Tulsa (27 October 2018). "Tulane at Tulsa: Former All-American Jerry Ostroski honored with jersey retirement". Tulsa World.
- ^ "1992 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
- ^ "2000 Buffalo Bills Starters, Roster, & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation | Love, Hope and Courage". www.edblock.org.
- ^ "Moats selected as Bills ed Block Courage Award recipient". Archived from the original on 2014-04-03. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
- ^ "Jerry Ostroski NFL - Atlanta Falcons - ESPN". Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-04-07.