Rich Ohrnberger, the East Meadow High School graduate that has spent time with the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals, has been signed to a one-year contract by the San Diego Chargers.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
After playing one year for junior varsity in high school, Ohrnberger joined Vincent Mascia on varsity. He played both offensive and defensive line. During his time at EMHS, Ohrnberger won the Thorp and Martone awards, given to Nassau County’s most outstanding player and most outstanding lineman, respectively.
Like East Meadow Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
“It became a passion and something I knew I wanted to pursue,” Ohrnberger said. “That’s the main thing I got from high school. I fell in love with the sport.”
As for Mascia, Ohrnberger's former coach at East Meadow High School, he had nothing but praises for the former Jet.
"Anybody that's gotten to the level he's gotten to was extremely special as a football player," Mascia said. "But he was really special as a kid too."
Ohrnberger was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2009 draft, and he was active for three games that season. He was active in two games during the 2010 season as well, both as a reserve.
He spent 2012 with the Arizona Cardinals, and he even earned some starting time before latching on with the Chargers on Thursday.
"I signed with the Chargers!" Ohrnberger tweeted Thursday.
What do you think about Ohrnberger signing with San Diego? Tell us in the comments section below.