| Eric Ghiaciuc | |
| Number: | 53 |
| Position: | Center |
| Birth Date: | 28 May 1981 |
| Birth Place: | Oxford, Michigan, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 4 |
| Weight Lbs: | 303 |
| High School: | Oxford |
| College: | Central Michigan |
| Draftyear: | 2005 |
| Draftround: | 4 |
| Draftpick: | 119 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Statlabel1: | Games played |
| Statvalue1: | 48 |
| Statlabel2: | Games started |
| Statvalue2: | 42 |
| Statlabel3: | Fumble recoveries |
| Statvalue3: | 4 |
| Pfr: | GhiaEr20 |
Eric M. Ghiaciuc [GUY-check] (born May 28, 1981) is a former American football center. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football at Central Michigan.
While attending Oxford High School, Ghiaciuc was a three-sport standout in football, wrestling, and track and field. In football, he won All-League, All-County, All-Metro, All-State honors, and he was ranked No.37 prospect by The Detroit News, and No.47 by the Detroit Free Press. In wrestling, he was the state heavyweight champion. Ghiaciuc is of Romanian descent.[1]
At Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Ghiaciuc was part of an offensive line which generated 105 touchdowns in a three-year stint. He was redshirted in 2000, saw limited action in 2001, then took over as starting center in 2002, starting for the next 37 games for the Chippewas. He was an Industrial Education major who graduated with a 3.30 GPA.
Ghiaciuc was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2005 NFL draft.[2] Ghiaciuc's college teammate, Adam Kieft, was drafted in the fifth round. Paul Alexander, the Bengals' offensive line coach and assistant head coach, had also attended Central Michigan University. Ghiaciuc made his NFL debut and got his first career start against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 9, 2005. He went on to play in four more games in his rookie season as a reserve. In 2006, Ghiaciuc started 12 of the final 13 games of the season at center, following an injury to Rich Braham in Week 2. He started in 12 games in 2007 and all 16 games in 2008 for the Bengals.
An unrestricted free agent after the 2008 season, Ghiaciuc signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 30. He was waived on September 4, 2009.
Ghiaciuc was signed by the San Diego Chargers on December 22, 2009 after center Scott Mruczkowski was placed on injured reserve. He was inactive for the final two games of the Chargers' regular season, as well as their playoff game against the New York Jets. He became a restricted free agent after the season but was not offered a tender by the Chargers.
Ghiaciuc was signed by the Cleveland Browns on April 8, 2010. He was released on June 16, 2010.
Ghiaciuc was a member of the Florida Tuskers' (United Football League) minicamp roster in June 2010.
Ghiaciuc was signed by the New England Patriots on August 4, 2010. He was released on September 3, during final cuts.
Ghiaciuc was signed by the Miami Dolphins on November 22, 2010 after placing Cory Procter on injured reserve. Ghiaciuc was released on December 28, 2010.