Randy Moss Mistook Rookie for Coach, Reveals Former Patriots Player

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Former New England Patriots offensive guard Rich Ohrnberger recently shared a hilarious anecdote about his rookie season, revealing that legendary wide receiver Randy Moss initially mistook him for a coach. The story unfolded on Julian Edelman‘s podcast, “Games with Names,” where Ohrnberger recounted the embarrassing yet memorable moment.

In 2009, Ohrnberger was drafted by the Patriots and quickly earned an unexpected nickname from Moss. “He gave me this nickname and it happened immediately,” Ohrnberger said. “I have no idea why, because we barely spoke to each other outside of passing by each other in the hallway or outside the meeting rooms or on the football field. You know, we’re on our way to the football field, he’d be like, ‘Hey, what’s up coach?’ He called me coach.”

Ohrnberger initially took the nickname as a sign of acceptance. “I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, maybe, like, maybe, I’m in. Like he gave me a nickname. I’m telling people back home Randy Moss gave me a nickname, he really likes me,'” he recalled.

The truth behind the nickname came to light during a team meeting when Ohrnberger and other rookies introduced themselves to the rest of the squad. “And so I get up there and I can’t remember if it was in the meeting or immediately after, but Randy Moss pulls me aside and he goes, ‘Motherf*****, you a player.’ He goes, ‘You’ve been a player this whole time?'” Ohrnberger recounted.

Edelman, laughing, interjected, “I think it was in front of the whole team.” Ohrnberger continued his impression of Moss: “‘You gray hair, b****. I thought you was a coach… Oh hell no. Bill, did we waste a draft pick on this motherf*****? Are you kidding me? What, is he going to go out there and break a hip? Goddamn Bill.'”

Reflecting on the moment, Ohrnberger admitted his embarrassment. “And I’m just like, ‘Oh my God, that was not a nickname.’ … He thought I was a f******* coach… How unbelievably embarrassing. I mean I told everyone. I was like, ‘Yeah, Randy really likes me. It’s going pretty well, gang.'”