RT Oliver Ross (2000-2004)
Oliver Ross was selected in the fifth round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys out of Iowa State University. The Cowboys traded their sixth and seventh round picks to the Seattle Seahawks to get him. Ross was considered a raw prospect at the time, having played defensive tackle until his senior year, and played in just 2 games before being released in September.
He then signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, earning a roster spot from the practice squad, but was inactive for most of the season. In 2000, the Eagles assigned him to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe, but he was released in August.
In 2000, he signed was signed to the Steelers practice squad and eventually earned a roster spot in December. In the 2001 season, he played in all 16 games, and started in 8 games at right guard, right tackle, and left tackle due to injuries on the line. In 2002, the Steelers matched an offer from the Cleveland Browns and signed Ross through the 2004 season. By 2004, Ross had earned the starting job and played all 16 games of the season. Throughout his 4 seasons on the active roster, he played in all 64 games ands tarted in 36 of them.
In 2005, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an unrestricted free agent and was eventually released in February 2008 after missing the 2007 season with a torn left triceps. He then signed with the New England Patriots, but never played in any games due to a shoulder injury. In 2009, he resigned with the Cardinals but was released before the start of the season.
After leaving the league, Ross managed several rental properties between California and Arizona, and became a certified EMT while volunteering for the Glendale and Phoenix fire departments. He also worked as a coach and athletic director for a local junior college and high schools in Los Angeles and Arizona.