Jordan Gross Jordan Alan Gross ( born July 20 , 1980 ) is a former American football offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for the University of Utah and was recognized as an All - American . The Carolina Panthers chose him with the eighth overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft , and has played for the Panthers for his entire pro career . He has been selected for the Pro Bowl three times . Early years . Gross was born in Nampa , Idaho . He attended Fruitland High School in Fruitland , Idaho , where he was a letterman in high school football , basketball , and track and field . In football , he was a first - team all - state selection as both an offensive and defensive lineman as a senior , and helped lead his team win the conference championship as a sophomore . In basketball , he won all - conference honors . College career . While attending the University of Utah , Gross played for the Utah Utes football team from 1999 to 2002 . After redshirting his freshman year , he started three games , and played in the Las Vegas Bowl , where the Mountain West Conference ( MWC ) champion Utes beat Fresno State 17 - 16 . The following season , he received honorable mention All - MWC honors after starting all 11 games , switching between offensive tackle and offensive guard . His versatility increased as a junior , as he played left tackle , left guard , and right tackle , and finished the season once again as an honorable mention All - MWC selection . His offensive line allowed only five sacks all season , which tied the University of Miami Hurricanes record for fewest allowed in the nation . Following his 2002 senior season , he was a first - team All - MWC selection , and was recognized as a consensus first - team All - American . He was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy , which is given to the best interior lineman in college football , after not allowing a sack all season at left tackle . Professional career . 2003 NFL Draft . Projected as an early first round selection , Gross was ranked as the No . 1 offensive tackle available in the 2003 NFL Draft . He was taken in the first round ( 8th overall ) of the 2003 NFL Draft by Carolina . At the time , he was the highest selected Utah Utes player ever ( until surpassed by Alex Smith in 2005 ) . Carolina Panthers . Gross started every game for the Panthers that season at right tackle , and in fact did not miss a single offensive play , a rarity for many veterans , much less rookies . He allowed only three sacks all season , and was an anchor on the offensive line that sent the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII . He made the " Pro Football Weekly " All - Rookie and " Sports Illustrated " All - Pro teams that season . Due to retirements and personnel shifts , Gross moved from right tackle to left tackle for the 2004 NFL season ; he and center Jeff Mitchell were the only two returning starters on the offensive line that season . The instability on the line was one of many problems for the Panthers , who were plagued with injuries , and they finished the season 7 - 9 . The following year , he moved " back " to right tackle , and the Panthers ' starters remained the same during the entire season . On February 19 , 2008 , the Panthers named Gross their franchise player and placed the franchise tag on him giving him a one year $ 7 . 45 million deal . This later proved to be a good move , as he was voted to the 2009 Pro Bowl . On February 19 , 2009 , the Panthers would sign Gross to a six - year contract , making him one of the highest - paid offensive lineman in the NFL . In a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on November 15 , 2009 , Gross broke his ankle , landing him on the injured reserve list and ending his participation in the 2009 NFL Season . On February 25 , 2014 , Gross announced his retirement .