2012 SD Chargers Media Guide_PROOF.P - Seahawks Online ...

75 MARIO HENDERSONTackle Free Agent - ’126-7, 340 Florida State5th NFL SeasonLehigh HS1st with ChargersFt. Myers, Fla.Former Oakland Raiders tackle Mario Henderson signeda one-year contract with the Chargers, looking to resurrecthis career after spending the 2011 season out of the NFL.A third-round pick in 2007, Henderson was released bythe Raiders in 2011 and following the NFL lockout, he wasunable to find a job with another team. Eager to get backinto a competitive environment, Henderson played for theColorado Ice of the Indoor Football League in early 2012.The former Florida State standout is eager for a secondchance. He is expected to compete to back up left tackleJared Gaither and right tackle Jeromey Clary.Henderson got a late start playing football. He transferredhigh schools as a sophomore and was ineligible to play as ajunior. Despite playing only one year of varsity in high school,he earned a scholarship to Florida State where he becamethe team’s starting left tackle late in his junior season.Henderson endured a tough upbringing in Ft. Myers,Florida. His mom, Sonia, a single parent, died after a boutwith breast cancer when Henderson was just nine yearsold and he was raised by his grandparents, Herbert andFloridia. When Henderson reached the NFL, one of thefirst things he did was pay for a full upgrade of his grandparents’home where he was raised.Since his mom’s passing, Henderson has been an activeparticipant in causes related to breast cancerawareness, including walking in theSusan G. Komen 3-Day event in Jacksonville.Hoping to continue his NFL careerwith this second opportunity, Hendersonwould like to start a nonprofit foundationto support breast cancer awareness.VETERANS &RETURNING PLAYERSTRANSACTION HISTORY: Third-round pick (91) by Oakland,April 28, 2007...signed with Raiders, July 13...contract expiredMarch 11, 2011...signed one-year contract with Chargers,April 13, 2012.2011: Spent season with Colorado Ice of Indoor FootballLeague. 2010: Started Games 1-6 and 16 at left tackle.2009: Started all 16 games at left tackle...contributed toward182-yard rush performance Nov. 15 vs. Kansas City...excellentpass protection during 308-yard, three-touchdown performanceby Bruce Gradkowski as Raiders drove 88 yards forgame winning touchdown with nine seconds left...helpedRaiders to season-high 241-yard rush day Dec. 20 at Denver...lineprotected during 62-yard game-winning touchdowndrive late in fourth quarter...outstanding blocking duringcareer-best 333-yard passing game for Charlie Frye Dec. 27at Cleveland. 2008: First-career start at left tackle Sept. 14 atKansas City as Raiders rushed for 300 yards, team’s mostsince 1987, and didn’t allow any sacks...started again Sept.21 at Buffalo and Games 14-16...saw time as reserve righttackle Dec. 4 at San Diego. 2007: Played in first-career gameNov. 25 at Kansas City.COLLEGE: Started all 13 games as senior left tackle...movedinto starting lineup late during junior season...played in 49career games for Seminoles with 15 starts...started firstcareergame vs. Miami in Orange Bowl...played at FloridaState from 2003-06...social science major.PERSONAL: Born in Maywood, Ill....all-county, all-region andall-district at Lehigh (Lehigh Acres, Fla.) High...lettered in basketball.Games Played-Started: 2007 (1-0; Oakland); 2008 (11-5, Oakland); 2009 (16-16, Oakland); 2010 (16-7, Oakland); Total (44-28).MEDIA GUIDE | 69