The name Rich Ohrnberger probably doesn’t ring a ton of bells for New England Patriots fans, but it may after this.
Ohrnberger played guard in the NFL for five seasons, the first two with the Patriots as a backup. During his two seasons with the Pats, he appeared in just five games, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t make any contributions to the team. In fact, arguably his biggest contribution happened off the field following a game.
He beat Tom Brady in a beer-chugging contest.
A few stories have been floated over the years of the legendary Pats quarterback’s ability to down a brew, and that was apparent during an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Monday night.
In response to that, Ohrnberger posted a lengthy Twitter thread Tuesday detailing the time he beat Brady in a beer-chugging contest.
Here’s what he had to say:
Tom Brady chugging beer story…
Day after Christmas 2010, week 16, we absolutely smoked the Bills and clinched the AFC East. This was one of the rare occasions while I was with the Patriots where I got playing time (starters benched in the 4th, we lead by 31)…
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) March 13, 2018
While celebrating the win (of the game and division) in the locker room, we were informed we couldn’t take off/land due to a blizzard slamming the Boston area. Also, with the influx of game day visitors, hotel shortages forced us to seek accomodations in Rochester, NY…
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) March 13, 2018
Matt Light (OT/instigator/social butterfly) rallied the troops as soon as we arrived in Rochester, and the offensive line descended on a BBQ joint named “Dinosaur B-B-Que”. We ordered some ribs, wings, meat, and beer…
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) March 13, 2018
Within an hour or two of being there, and many pitchers down… the challenges began. <I’ll pause here to add some context> For those who don’t know me… I can throw a beer down in nanoseconds. It’s a gift and a curse. <back to the story>…
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) March 13, 2018
Glasses were filled, glasses were emptied (quickly)… the challengers list grew steadily through the night.. I was untouchable.
Then, Matt Light began speaking of a man, the G.O.A.T. … He said, Tom Brady was unbeatable…
he would be arriving soon…
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) March 13, 2018
Enter Brady.
He was greeted with high fives and hugs… but in typical Tom Brady form, he knew there was work to be done before the fun could continue. We locked eyes, he spoke two words, “You ready?”
The beers were poured…
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) March 13, 2018
“Go!!!!!!” Bottoms up. Glasses slam down in cacophonous synchronicity… however, one glass touched first…
Arms raised over my head, cheers raining down, my glass wobbled to a stop, our eyes met, mine filled with wonderment and shock, his with fire and confusion…
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) March 13, 2018
I beat …Tom Brady.
He nodded approvingly, and although I couldn’t hear him say it over the cheers… his lips read “Okay….ok.” He reached across the beer soaked table top, scattered with wing bones and assorted detritus, and shook my hand.
I BEAT TOM BRADY…
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) March 13, 2018
The night resumed. We laughed. We celebrated. We drank. We ate. We left.
I slept well that night in Rochester…
…the sleep of a champion. #GOAT
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) March 13, 2018
What a wild night it must have been for the then-24-year-old Ohrnberger.
And though his contributions on the field were minimal during his days in New England, that story is one feather in his cap — especially after seeing how adept Brady is at crushing beers — that absolutely no one can take away from him.
