Kory Lichtensteiger Kory Adam Lichtensteiger ( born March 22 , 1985 ) is an American football guard and center for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft . He played college football at Bowling Green State University . Lichtensteiger has also played for the Minnesota Vikings . Early years . Lichtensteiger played high school football at Crestview High School in Convoy , Ohio where he was a four - year scholar athlete in both basketball and football . During his time at Crestview , he was named a first - team All - Northwest Conference offensive and defensive lineman . His other awards included conference Lineman of the Year in his junior and senior seasons , and First - Team All - Ohio on both his junior and senior year . College career . Lichtensteiger became a member of the Bowling Green State University football team in 2003 . In his 5 years with the team he received numerous honors including being chosen as a team captain and being named to All - MAC , Academic All - MAC and national All - American lists . He was redshirted his freshman year and played center on the scout team . During his second year on the team , Lichtensteiger was moved to offensive guard . He started all 12 games that season and was named Second Team All - MAC and a Football Writers Association of America Freshman All - American . In his sophomore season , Lichtensteiger started all 11 games and was once again named Second Team All - MAC . As a junior , he was shifted back to center and started 12 games . On the field he was named First - Team All - MAC and Co - MVP of the team . Off the field he was named to the Academic All - MAC team . In his final season with the Falcons , he was named pre - season First - Team All - MAC . He started 13 games and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy and a semifinalist for the Draddy Trophy . Kory graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree . Professional career . 2008 NFL Draft . Lichtensteiger was considered the No . 4 center available in the 2008 NFL Draft . He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round ( 108th overall ) . Denver Broncos . On Monday , July 21 , 2008 , Lichtensteiger signed a four - year contract with the Broncos . He joined the team as a backup center who could also fill in at guard . The Broncos waived Lichtensteiger on September 4 , 2009 . Minnesota Vikings . Lichtensteiger was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings on September 6 . He was waived on September 29 . Washington Redskins . Lichtensteiger signed a future contract with the Washington Redskins on January 12 , 2010 . He was reunited with Coach Mike Shanahan , who he played for in his rookie season with the Broncos . In his first season with the Redskins , he became the starting left guard of the offensive line . In the 2011 season , Lichtensteiger would be put on injured reserve after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles . On March 3 , 2012 , the Redskins tendered an original round qualifying contract to Lichtensteiger , which would allow the Redskins to receive an additional fourth round pick if he were to sign with another team . On March 20 , he signed his one - year , $ 1 . 26 million restricted free agent tender . Despite his ACL being fine , he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to clean out floating particles in the knee on July 30 and missed the entire 2012 preseason . After missing the entire preseason , he was able to play and start in the season opener win against the New Orleans Saints . On December 18 , the Redskins named him the winner of the 2012 Ed Block Courage Award for how well he recovered from his ACL tear in the previous season . Set to become a free agent in the 2013 season , Lichtensteiger agreed to a five - year deal with the Redskins on March 9 , 2013 .