Jared Gaither Jared Gaither ( born March 18 , 1986 in White Plains , Maryland ) is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent in the National Football League . He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2007 Supplemental Draft . He played college football at Maryland . Gaither has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers . Early years . Gaither played basketball for his first three years of high school at Eleanor Roosevelt High School before playing football in his senior year at Hargrave Military Academy . He originally verbally committed to the University of South Carolina basketball team , but later changed to football . He played defensive tackle and tight end . He recorded 89 tackles , 9 sacks , 1 forced fumble , and 4 passes deflected . College career . As a true freshman at the University of Maryland in 2005 , Gaither played in all 11 games and started the last 8 . He was named a third team Freshman All - American by College Football News and honorable mention by The Sporting News . He allowed no sack s in 583 snaps played ( all at left tackle ) and committed 2 penalties . As a sophomore , Jared played in twelve games and helped the Terps offensive line allow just 19 sacks all season . He was a member of the 2006 preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy , a consensus preseason All - ACC choice , and ranked No . 7 nationally among offensive tackles by The Sporting News . Professional career . Baltimore Ravens . Gaither did not participate in 2007 spring practices at Maryland because of academic problems . On June 25 , Terps coach Ralph Friedgen told reporters that Gaither ' s grades failed to meet his expectations , that he would not be able to play in 2007 and he would be eligible to return in 2008 . Instead , Gaither declared for the NFL ' s supplemental draft and on July 12 was taken by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round . Gaither took over Jonathan Ogden ' s starting left tackle role after Ogden ' s retirement . Jared , at 6 ' 9 , is one of the tallest players in the NFL , the others being Dennis Roland of the Cincinnati Bengals and Demar Dotson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . During the start of off - season camps for the 2008 - 2009 NFL season , Cam Cameron declared Jared would be the starting left tackle . Despite an early ankle injury during the beginning of training camp , Jared played surprisingly well and was a big reason for the improved offensive line of the Baltimore Ravens . On October 4 , 2009 , he suffered a head injury in a game vs . the New England Patriots and was sent to the hospital . He was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital , and had movement in his arms and legs . In addition , x - rays on his neck and shoulder were negative . Gaither missed all of 2010 after an injury put him on Injured Reserve ( IR ) Kansas City Chiefs . On August 11 , 2011 , Gaither signed with the Kansas City Chiefs . He was waived on November 29 . San Diego Chargers . Gaither was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Chargers on November 30 , 2011 . On March 14 , 2012 Gaither signed a 4 year contract with Chargers . At the beginning of the 2012 Gaither suffered from back spasms and is not in the starting lineup , insisting on being 100 percent before returning to full duty . Gaither was released on March 27 , 2013 . Personal . He has advocated for the passage of the FIT Kids Act , federal legislation that would require school districts to report on students ' physical activity and to give youngsters health and nutritional information .