Ralph Ortega
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| Ralph Ortega | |
|---|---|
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| Date of birth: | July 6, 1953 |
| Place of birth: | Havana, Cuba |
| Career information | |
| Position(s): | Linebacker |
| College: | Florida |
| NFL Draft: | 1975 / Round: 2 / Pick 29 |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1975-1978 1979-1980 |
Atlanta Falcons Miami Dolphins |
| Stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Ralph Ortega (born 1953 in Cuba) is a former American football player who played linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons and later for the Miami Dolphins. He is one of very few Cuban-born NFL players of note.[citation needed] He currently lives and works in Miami, Florida.
[edit] High school
Ortega played high school football and was a shot-put specialist on the Track & Field team at Coral Gables High School from 1968 to 1971. Two of his teammates, Neal Colzie and Glenn Cameron went on to be first round NFL picks of the Oakland Raiders (24) and Cincinnati Bengals (14) respectively.
[edit] College
Before his NFL career, Ortega was a star linebacker for the University of Florida Gators. In 1973, he helped the Gators beat Auburn for the first time at Jordan Hare Stadium in 14 visits. His big play was a crushing tackle that caused a fumble by tailback Chris Linderman inside the Gators' 5 yard line shortly before halftime. The Gators won the game 12-8, with Auburn's only points coming near the end of the game. Head Coach Doug Dickey was carried by players on to the field after the game. At the time it was called "one of the greatest moments in Florida Gators football history".[citation needed]
[edit] Buck Ortega
Ralph and ex-wife Joanne's (UF '76) son Buck Ortega (born 1981) also played football in high school and college. He was originally signed by his hometown University of Miami Hurricanes as a quarterback. He was later moved to tight end where he had a solid if not stellar career for his coach, Larry Coker. As an undrafted free agent, Buck was signed by the Washington Redskins and attended their 2006 summer training camp. He was cut after the pre-season because there were too many players on the Redskins roster. He was immediately picked up by the Cleveland Browns.After being cut by the Browns he was picked by his hometown Miami Dolphins. He is now on the practice squad for the Saints.
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