Gogan was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eight round of the 1987 NFL Draft, as part of a change in the offensive line philosophy, when the team started to value size and strength over speed and athletic ability. He became a starter at the right tackle as a rookie, when Phil Pozderac announced his retirement in Week 6 of the season after the strike. On August 3, 1988, he was suspended 30 days for marijuana use. In 1989, he missed 3 games with an injured toe. His attitude and intensity earned him the nickname "Big Nasty". In 1990, he was relegated to a reserve role after Nate Newton was named the starter at right tackle. He started 4 games at left tackle in place of an injured Mark Tuinei and one game at right guard. He also was used as the third tight end in short-yardage situations. In 1991, he was named the starter at left guard, replacing Crawford Ker, who left the team via Plan B free agency. His blocking helped the offensive line become one of the best units in the NFL, while contributing to Emmit Smith leading the league in rushing yards and Michael Irvin in receiving yards. In 1992, he became a backup after Nate Newton was moved to left guard, in order to accommodate Erik Williams as the starter at right tackle. He also was used as the third tight end in short-yardage situations. He started in the season finale at left guard in place of an injured Newton. In 1993, he beat out John Gesek as the starter at right guard. His role in one of the greatest offensive lines in NFL history was detailed in NFL Network's 2013 A Football Life episode "The Great Wall of Dallas". Before the start of the 1994 season, four of the Cowboys offensive linemen were free agents, so management focused on re-signing Newton. Gogan opted to leave and was replaced with free agentDerek Kennard.
Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders
On April 17, 1994, he signed as free agent with the Los Angeles Raiders, where he was named the starter at right guard. He was a three-year starter and received his first Pro Bowl selection.
San Francisco 49ers
On February 24, 1997, Gogan signed as free agent with the San Francisco 49ers. Although he didn't fit the team's offensive line scheme, he received Pro Bowl honors two years in a row at right guard. In 1998, he helped Garrison Hearst set a team rushing record with 1,549 yards and received second-team All-Pro honors. During the fourth-quarter of the 1998 Pro Bowl, Neil Smith took offense at Gogan going for his legs during a running play. As Gogan returned to the huddle, Smith hit him on the back of the helmet, which resulted in the first Pro Bowl ejections since the game was moved to Hawaii in 1980. On March 1, 1999, the 49ers had salary cap problems and traded him to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a fifth-round draft choice.
Miami Dolphins
In 1999, he reunited with former head coach Jimmy Johnson. He began the season as the starter at left guard, but he was later moved to the right side because of the play of Mark Dixon. He ended up in a platoon situation with Kevin Donnalley, alternating starts. He started 10 games and extended his consecutive games played streak to over 150 contests. On February 25, 2000, he was waived because of age and salary cap issues.
San Diego Chargers
On June 5, 2000, he signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers and started 14 games at right guard. On February 28, 2001, he was released and replaced with Kendyl Jacox.
Personal life
Gogan was named to three Pro Bowls and had a reputation as being one of the league's dirtiest players during his career. He is currently the NFL analyst for NBX.com and is also an assistant football coach for Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, Washington.
