While Detroit Lions? fans were in the doldrums this week with another loss, one of Oxford’s native sons, his friends and family were celebrating.
Oxford’s Eric Ghiaciuc returned to the area as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals and participated in the 41-17 drubbing of the Lions.
The victory clinched the AFC North Division championship for Cincinnati and ensured them a playoff berth.
Playing for the first time against the team he grew up rooting for was a great thrill, Ghiaciuc said, while standing in the center of Ford Field following the game.
‘I had a lot of family and friends come to the game, so it’s great to be back in town and see everyone,? he said
Ghiaciuc, who starred on Oxford’s football gridiron as a defensive and offensive lineman in 1997 to 1999, is a rookie 300-pound offensive lineman with the Bengals.
‘I grew up a Lions fans but I changed pretty quickly out of college,? he said.
The change of loyalty occurred when Ghiaciuc was drafted in the fourth round by the Bengals after a standout career as a center and guard for four years at Central Michigan University.
Eric has started one regular season and four preseason games while getting playing time in several others, including Sunday against the Lions. He played the final seven minutes of the game and helped set up the Bengals? final score of the day.
He also sees action on Cincinnati’s kick return team.
Most of Ghiaciuc’s playing time has been at center. He is currently the backup to Rich Braham, a 12-year veteran who has played in 129 games for the Bengals and has the longest tenure on the team.
It would be fair to say that Ghiaciuc is the heir-apparent to Braham, who is near the end of a long and successful career. Eric said he’ll be ready to step in when asked.
‘As long as I continue to play hard and improve I’ll be ready to go for a spot next year as long as the coaches see fit and it’s best for the team. I’ll be ready,? he said.
His coach Paul Alexander agrees that Eric is ready to play at the NFL level.
‘Eric is a brilliant guy, and body-wise he’ll be able to match up with the nose tackles. He’s got great balance and he creates movement on big people with his quickness,? Alexander said.
‘There’s a question on my scouting forms ‘How ready is he?? and the answer I put for Eric was ‘more ready than you might think.? We wouldn’t have drafted him if we didn’t think he could play right away.?
Ghiaciuc said making the playoffs in his rookie season and winning a division championship is a great thrill as is playing at the NFL level.
Following the game, he ventured outside of Ford Field to see if he could find some of his friends, from both Oxford and Central Michigan University, and his family.
He quickly found former Oxford classmates Ryan Austin and wife, Leah, and visited with them while signing autographs for other fans before it was time to get on the team bus and head back to Cincinnati.
‘We went down and saw him play a preseason game against the Colts,? Ryan Austin said. ‘It was great.?
This week the Bengals travel to Buffalo, New York, which is in many ways just another town in the life of a professional athlete.
There will never be another day like Sunday for Ghiaciuc.
Returning home for the first time to play as an NFL player and leaving with a title in hand is a great accomplishment.
The only thing that could top it is coming back home to play in the Super Bowl.