Chad Ocho Cinco

Chad Johnson was not allowed to have the back of his jersey changed to "Ocho Cinco" on Sunday's game. Financial obligations of Reebok prevented the change because they do not want to be stuck with an inventory of thousands of Johnson jerseys since the NFL has approved the legalizing of Ocho Cinco on his jersey.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell commented that the name change on his jersey would probably change soon, but first it's a legal matter.

Although it's amazing how many stories I have heard about the name change - which I've very easily become annoyed with - how did the Cincinnati Bengals actually play on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens? Of yeah, they lost 17-10.

Reporters gathered around Ocho Cinco to ask him about the name change, not even the game. For once I'm going to admit I'm kind of on Ocho Cinco's side this time. How could the sports reporters honestly forget where their priorities were? Yes, I believe the public wants to know more about his jersey, but after a loss that should be the least of their concerns. Why not try something more along the lines of "what went wrong today?" or "what will be on the Bengals agenda to win next week against the Tennessee Titans?"

Of course Ocho Cinco was not up to the idea of commenting minus replying to reporters that he could care less about the name change for the moment since the Bengals just lost. Good for him. It's nice to know he is not completely concerned about only himself.

Ocho Cinco

Maybe you're a huge Cincinnati Bengals fan who is crossing their fingers that Chad Ocho Cinco's shoulder injury is not serious.  Otherwise you're praying that it is more serious than sources are saying so he'll have to sit out this season and we won't have to hear as much about his ridiculous antics in the sports world.  I could sit here and share exactly which side I'm on, but I'm assuming most people can figure it out for themselves.

Ocho Cinco did undergo surgery before the preseason to remove bone spurs from his right ankle, due to an injury he received last season.  Because of the surgery he was fairly limited in training camp during the summer, so it was hard to tell if he was entirely recovered and ready to step onto the field.

He has yet to have any issues with the ankle, but now he has a completely different injury.  The team sources say it's nothing that's going to stop him from playing in the regular season, especially since the X-Rays and MRI showed negative results.

Ocho Cinco also revealed that several other pro football players have continued to play while suffering from the same injury, which include Donte Stallworth and Brian Westbrook who both catch the ball.  

The stubborn man we know will continue to play until he is on his death bed, but it's hard to say whether his injury will be threatening to this season.  Sorry Bengals bashers, it might not be a season where we do not have to deal with the arrogant comments or gestures presented on the field.  There's only one thing we can all do now going into the season - wishful thinking.

Ocho Cinco

Good news to Chad Johnson - ahem, pardon me - Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson. He has finally revealed his name change, and the National Football League has chosen to acknowledge it during Bengals games.

The back of his jersey will now read Ocho Cinco, and I must say on a scale of 1-10 (10 being I think this change is super cool) I'm giving him a -85. If he were willing to comment to the public, it could actually be more beneficial to people appreciating it more.

What many people may not know is that in 2006, the NFL celebrated Hispanic Heritage month, which gave him the idea to wear the number on the back of his jersey during pregame warmups. He was told it must be removed during the game based on the NFL's rules saying it was not his official last name.

Although people of the younger generation may believe he is the first to do the name change, he is not. One notable former football player Rod Smart created the moniker "He Hate Me" to put on the back of his XFL jersey, but when he made the NFL he had to have "Smart" on the back because it did not follow NFL rules, and he had not had a permanent name change. He did this because his coach placed him as 3rd string on his XFL team.

The crazy, sporadic things Chad Ocho Cinco does truly do surprise me, whether it be the obvious name change, the out-of-whack touchdown celebration dances, or his boastful attitude toward the public and the media. I cannot even imagine what he may do next, but I'm sure it will be out of this world, unless it's the injury he swears he can play with comfortably. Then I may be more interested in his professional football career.

Name Change to "Ocho Cinco"

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson is in the news. Again. What could he possibly have to say now? This tends to be a common question because he is frequently out to shock the media. The topic this time involves a name change to "Chad Ocho Cinco" based on the No. 85 jersey he slips on week after week.

Why he feels the need to do this? Who knows. He has declined to admit the change, but the state of Florida reported the change occurred last week.

"If it ain't about the Ravens, I don't want to talk," Johnson stated, as he is currently preparing for the Bengals season opener this Sunday.

It will be interesting to see if the back of Johnson's jersey reads "Ocho Cinco" on Sunday, especially after injuring his left shoulder during the second pre-season game versus Detroit. Good luck, Chad Johnson, Ocho Cinco, Future H.O.F, or whatever your names ends up being. But if you end up injuring yourself even worse in the first couple games of the season, don't start complaining that it was your teammates' faults.