Early years

Gogan attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, California. He helped his football team win 2 city championships as a two-way player (offensive and defensive tackle). He also lettered in baseball, playing first base and catcher.

He attended the University of Washington under head coach Don James and became a three-year starter at right tackle. He received honorable mention All-American and second-team All-Pac-10 honors as a senior.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Gogan was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eight round of the 1987 NFL Draft, as part of a change in the offensive line philosophy, when the team started to value size and strength over speed and athletic ability. He became a starter at the right tackle as a rookie, when Phil Pozderac announced his retirement in Week 6 of the season.

On August 3, 1988, he was suspended 30 days for marijuana use. His attitude and intensity earned him the nickname "Big Nasty".

In 1990, he was relegated to a reserve role after Nate Newton was named the starter at right tackle. The next year he switched positions and became a starter at left guard, replacing Crawford Ker, who left the team via Plan B free agency.

In 1992, he became a backup after Nate Newton was moved to left guard, in order to accommodate Erik Williams as a starter. The next year he beat out John Gesek as the starter at right guard.

His role in one of the greatest offensive lines in NFL history was detailed in NFL Network's 2013 A Football Life: "the Great Wall of Dallas".

Before the start of the 1994 season, four of the Cowboys offensive linemen were free agents, so management focused on resigning Newton. Gogan opted to leave and was replaced with Derek Kennard.

Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders

In 1994, he signed as free agent with the Los Angeles Raiders, where he was named the starter at right guard. He was a three-year starter and received his first Pro Bowl selection.

San Francisco 49ers

In 1997, he signed as free agent with the San Francisco 49ers and although he didn't fit the team's offensive line scheme, he received Pro Bowl honors two years in a row. In 1998, he helped Garrison Hearst set a team rushing record with 1,549 yards and received second-team All-Pro honors.

During the fourth-quarter of the 1998 Pro Bowl, Neil Smith took offense at Gogan going for his legs during a running play, as Gogan returned to the huddle, Smith hit him on the back of the helmet, which resulted in the first Pro Bowl ejections since the game was moved to Hawaii in 1980.

The 49ers had salary cap problems and traded him to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a seventh round draft choice, on April 28, 1999.

Miami Dolphins

In 1999, he reunited with former head coach Jimmy Johnson. He was acquired with the intention of playing left guard, but because of the play of Mark Dixon he was moved to the right side. He ended up in a platoon situation with Kevin Donnalley, alternating starts.

After starting 10 games and extending his consecutive games played streak to over 150, he was released on February 25, 2000, because of age and the need to clear room under the salary cap.

San Diego Chargers

On June 5, 2000, he signed with the San Diego Chargers and started 14 games at right guard. He was waived on February 28, 2001 and was replaced with Kendyl Jacox.

Personal life

Gogan is currently the NFL analyst for NBX.com and is also an assistant football coach for Mount Si High School.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]