NFLPA would cover fine if Chad Ochocinco wears #15 against San Diego
by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 19, 2009 12:51 PM EST
51 comments
After Chris Henry's untimely passing, Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco wanted to wear Henry's number 15 in tribute. The league said no. The penalty for something like this would likely result in a fine.
The NFL Players Association said that if Chad is fined, then the NFLPA will cover it. George Atallah tweets:
NFLPA will cover any fine levied on @OGOchoCinco imposed by the league and match it with a gift to our Chris Henry memorial fund
PFT writes about the potential problems that the NFLPA could face, due to the appearance that the "union is desperate to find a way to get the public on its side as 2011 approaches" when the existing collective bargaining agreement expires and the league could face a work stoppage.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are caught in the middle of this. The team has full control over the locker room and its contents, and the team can either refuse to give a player a certain jersey or instruct him not to leave the locker room in something other than his assigned uniform.
Likewise, it's possible that the league would prohibit Ochocinco from entering the game wearing anything other than his own jersey.
I get that rules are rules. But sometimes people should just pull their head out of their collective asses and just let one player honor his fallen teammate. There is no harm here and if one believes it sets a precedence, then perhaps people running the show aren't qualified enough to actually apply the exemptions that actually exists in life.
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I'd even chip in $5 towards the fine.
We all should. When Johnny Unitas died, didnt Peyton Manning want to wear black high tops in tribute? And they wouldnt let him … or else, he didnt want to pay the fine. I’d much rather Chad get fined for something like this instead of a TD celebration.
This an idiotic discussion...
What if EVERY player wanted to “make a statement” about the death? Should 25 players get to wear his number if they want to? The team is honoring him as a whole already…the best way for ANY player including Chad JOHNSON is to act in a respectable manner during the game and not belittle Henry by executing some selfish stunt during the game…How about he thinks about someone elses feelings JUST once…There are people who are hurting much more than he is about this…
by chriscrimson98 on Dec 20, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
I don't know
On the contrary, I suspect that those closest to Chris would be comforted by Chad’s gesture. Certainly, no one would be adversely effected by it. Odd that you would take 85 to task over this one. For a guy willing to risk permanent cartoonery by naming himself after his own uniform number, wearing that of another strikes me as fairly selfless.
by IgnatiusJReilly on Dec 20, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Moot
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4756880
Chad tells Adam Schefter that he is not going to wear #15
I would say...
…this definitely qualifies as an exception. Perhaps the league will fine him—I’m sure he and the NFLPA are prepared for that. Does anyone know what the rule is on that? If a guy wears a wrong jersey can they penalize the team? If its “only money” I say do it.
i could see them barring him from wearing it
but i think it would be a horrible move by the nfl. they already get bad press for being the no fun league. this would be heartless and un-called for. and i do believe it would be huge in the negotiations for a new CBA. The public’s role will be major as we’re the ones who buy tickets.
RIP Slim.
Bad Precedence...and PR for NFL
Rules are only useful if they are paired with a little touch of humanity. Obviously the League is completely out of touch with the human aspect of this. If Chad wants to pay tribute to a lost friend then I say that he ought to be able to do.
If the league still fines him then it sets a precedence for the NFL for being inhuman. Talk about bad PR.
This is our year!
Let him wear #15
The NFL should really consider some common sense policies and exceptions. Maybe take a cue from Major League baseball on this one. Ken Griffey Jr was allowed to honor Jackie Robinson’s #42. Fans like tributes like this. In this case especially it seems like a no-brainer. Seems like this is a case where Chad is being fined for being Chad. You wonder if it was a different player if their wouldn’t be an exception made.
Really?!?
Maybe Ochocinco knows something about Henry that we don’t, but really, on the outside he said he was trying to be respectable, and in the end he showed his true colors by making YET ANOTHER stupid and poor choice. I think his actions speak much louder than his words and still can’t get over the fact of how many people are referring to this death as tragic and in the context they are using the word. He didn’t die as the result of someone else’s actions he died because of his OWN actions and probably on his own terms (or do some of his final words to the effect of he was going to KILL HIMSELF if his fiance didn’t pull over indicate otherwise?) and I support the NFL’s decision if they do decide to fine Ochocinco, why make a martyr out of someone who did little right and a LOT wrong? I wouldn’t have as much a problem with it had he not had such an extensive history of bad decisions, but this man is in no way a role model to anyone unless ONLY talking about his on-the-field performances.
damn
that’s harsh. All cause Chad wants to honor his team mate that won’t ever get to take the field again. He’s not trying to say that Chris Henry was a saint. He just wants to show the NFL his support of a fallen member of the Bengals. Screw the NFL Chad. You do what you do. Go from Ocho Cinco to Quince just for Sunday.
Bring a towel to the game. Black or gold or yellow. If you don't have one buy one, If you can't buy one, dye one!
Xbox Live Gamertag- Alf Ardanyu
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 19, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm sure you mean Uno Cinco.
Chad’s gotta stay consistent.
"If it wasn't this, it'd be something else."
Really?!?
Maybe YOU know something that we don’t? You’re making a lot of assumptions here based on what? I haven’t heard anything indicating that this was in anything other than a tragic accident.
I was never a huge Chris Henry fan, but his death is absolutely tragic. Whenever a 26 year old kid doesn’t have a chance, whatever the circumstances, to live up to his full potential it’s a tragedy. No one is saying he was a saint. He made a lot of mistakes but he also suffered a lot of consequences for those mistakes. By all accounts he was on the road to making amends and growing into a respectable individual, player, and teammate. Maybe he did make a poor choice by jumping into the back of the truck, but I don’t think he deserved to lose his life for it.
Chad Ochocinco wishes to pay tribute to the life and death of his friend and teammate. What’s wrong with that? No one is saying Chris Henry was a role model and I don’t see how Ochocinco wearing #15 makes that claim either. Or a martyr for anything. You and the NFL are making this (#15 Ochocinco) a bigger deal than it needs to be.
You do not know what the hell happened here!
I also heard a report that they were arguing the fact that his fiance’ wanted to spend too much money on the wedding. That is why they were there, for their wedding plans. Slim did not make as much money the past two years, like people thought. He was still having money issues from being on the streets and losing everything. It was reported that she (the fiance’) told him that she wasn’t going through with the wedding anymore and treated Chris like shit. He loved her and wanted to stay with her. He was pounding on the window wanting her to stop and to talk things out. Then looked what happened. Sounds to me he was trying to be smart and do what was right, even if it was dumb to jump into the back of the truck. Seems to me she was the spoiled little bitch. If this is what actually happened and now really regrets being one.
It's all about Chad
Here’s the real issue: Why does Chad jump at every opportunity to make things about HIM? The team is already wearing the #15 decal and everyone and their cat knows the situation. The Bengals will be playing this game with heavy hearts and they’ll try to win one with Slim. Deciding not to wear Chris’s jersey does not diminish Chris or his memory in any way. What it does achieve: More attention for Chad(which he will always crave) and an unnecessary fine. It’s a superficial gesture. For once, Chad, take a step back and let this be about Chris. Allow the Bengals to honor him as a team and shut down the 3-ring circus for christ sake.
Don't jump to conclusions...
From Bengals.com…
The Ocho admits he’s having tough time dealing, but he says he’ll be ready for Sunday and the Chargers. Henry’s No. 15 jersey is going to be on the sidelines, but he still doesn’t think he’ll wear it. He doesn’t mind the NFL fine that would be waiting if he does wear it, "but I don’t want to be a distraction."
Someone has obviously set him straight.
“but I don’t want to be a distraction.”
Really? Since when has that been a concern of his before? Humility is not his bag.
maybe since
one of his best friends died. despite everything, even the most selfish of people have friends. and good ones at that. and honestly, i don’t even think he’s that selfish. he’s an entertainer. but apart from that, he’s a person and people have feelings and emotions. everything else is just him marketing himself. he can’t play football forever and i think he’s prepping for that.
but anyone who has had a very close friend die knows that it’s a huge blow and you do what you can to get through it. to deal with the grief.
RIP Slim.
I get your point, but I don’t need the human psychology lesson. I still don’t understand what good this whole jersey thing does. Like I said, it’s a superficial gesture that puts the focus on Chad rather than Chris Henry. Whether he wears it or not, Chad already has what he wants: Attention. No matter the situation he’s an endless self-promoter.
That's just lazy. You have been paying too much attention to the coverage of Chad and not Chad himself.
by Brian B on Dec 20, 2009 2:26 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
“Chad” and the “coverage of Chad” are indistinguishable, considering he’s one PR move after another. Lazy? How about you address some of the (valid) points I’ve made instead of responding with a blanket statement?
I would address your valid points if you had any.
So instead I addressed the same tired point that the average joe makes based on what he hears on tv. It’s lazy. You think he is using someone else’s death to draw attention to himself? Who the fuck does that?
I have to agree
that you find a way to honor him as a team. Most likely Chad is not the only one on the team or organization that is suffering because of this tragedy. In my opinion you honor him as a team on the field or you find a way to honor him in a lasting way off the field. Start a charity to help youth stay on a straighter path and not make the mistakes Henry did, start something to help spouses/ significant others who are suffering from domestic abuse. Chad wearing Henry’s jersey spotlights his suffering and overshadows anyones else.
It's still a good season if we go 2-14 and beat the Steelers twice.
i can see the point
but i don’t really think so. most players work out with their respective positions more than anyone else, so it’s not really a stretch to think that chad would have been closer to him than anyone else. and the team is honoring him with the decal. and only WRs can wear the number 15, due to the NFLs rules. So chad would pretty much be the only candidate who can do so.
if you watched the interview chad gave, either he’s one of the few athletes that could pull off a successful oscar worthy acting career or he’s really torn up.
and as for the charity thing, the nflpa has set one up and IF chad wears the jersey and gets fined, they’re paying it, plus matching that donation and giving it to the chris henry memorial fund. which goes to his kids if i’m correct. (and if the nfl wanted to save face, that’s also where they could donate chad’s fine)
RIP Slim.
Pretty sure QBs, kickers, and punters can also wear #15. And the NFL has already said the NFLPA can’t pay the fine. My guess is that he doesn’t go through with it. If Marvin had the balls to reign him in for once, he’d tell Chad to let this one rest.
The nflpa could just write a check to chad
Since when can the NFL stop that?
RIP Slim.
by brandone on Dec 20, 2009 2:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
We cannot be sure
who was closest with Slim, and while you are right that they work the most with their respective positions, that does not indicate who is closer with whom. Chad may have spent more time with in practice, but Henry also spent time with Carson in California in the offseason and rode with Carson to training camp.
I do not doubt Chad is truly upset, again I just think anything done to remember him should be done as a team or as an organization,
It's still a good season if we go 2-14 and beat the Steelers twice.
by Bengals FTW on Dec 20, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
Exception surely
The NFL have been given enough notice about this – Chad plays the same position; players have switched numbers before (eg. Klingler, Jeremi Johnson among others)
Does it really matter what the circumstances were? The death of a 26 yea old man who could have had a very bright future is TRAGIC!! in the words of Chris Henry’s friend,teammate and a man who wants to honor him I only have one thing to say to someone who would post such a negative commnet Jack R or should I say Jack A$$. CHILD PLEASE!!!
Let is slide
Look, there won’t be any confusion, as everyone knows about this, and no one will think that is really Henry out there.
The one thing that would absolutely have to be prohibited is if multiple players were going to wear the same number.
But please NFL, just shut up about it and level the standard fine with no comment.
a lot of politics
definitely not what this should be about
"Life's a bi*ch but god forbid the bi*ch divorce me"- Nas
"They ask me what I'm writin' for; I'm writin' to show you what we fightin' for"- Talib Kweli
by Davone_Is_BessT on Dec 19, 2009 10:07 PM EST reply actions
Roger Goodell
is the anti-Ocho if he doesnt let chad do this…..didnt somebody wear Sean Taylor’s jersey the game after he passed away? He is just Anti-Ocho….fined $40k for wearing a hat, Tommie Harris fined $7,500 for punching a player….Child Please!
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
Hey Josh in the picture on the top of this post
look how large number 23 JJ looks
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
Best way for Ochocinco to celebrate his TD
Chad will pull off this stunt after he scores his TD today. He will rip off his shirt and inside it will reveal #15’s jersey which NFL says he cannot wear. Then he will put on his own jersey after that.
Go Bengals go!
Bengals in Trouble for Handling Chris Henry's Money?
What should the Bengals fan base, and the Bengals front office make of the PFT report the league may look into how the Bengals were handling Chris Henry’s money?
by DixieBengalfan on Dec 20, 2009 8:31 AM EST via mobile reply actions
go chad go!!
We all know Chris Henry wasn’t exactly a role model. But this is all about Chad giving a tribute to him. I for one, would love to see this happen. So what if he’s a football player, entertaining, and the equivalent of an NFL season weekly episodic TV show? It’s all in fun and you people who don’t like that, need to run for commissioner of NFL in 2011. Maybe then you’ll be happy. In other words, GET OVER IT!!!!!!
Groovy
The infallible Deadspin echo’s my sentiments:
Rather than the controversy coming to head with one big clusterfuck pitting player against player, union against management, Ochocinco backed off. Today he said he won’t try to wear Henry’s jersey, not wanting to cause a distraction. I don’t buy it. Since when has he avoided distraction?
That was a tongue-in-cheek statement. But I do think Chad was going to make an all-out spectacle of this(as he always does) before he was strongly advised not to. Nice that the team can do this together, rather than Chad’s tribute stealing the limelight.
Yeah, that was more towards DS than you.
I’m shocked — SHOCKED — they tried to be snarky about this whole thing.
Eh, that’s what they do for better or for worse. I don’t think it’s any disrespect to Henry. It’s more about questioning Chad’s motives. To suggest that he might be selfish or self-promoting isn’t beyond the bounds of reason. The only thing accomplished was bringing more negativity to the tragedy and creating a completely unnecessary fuss. I think it was a cool gesture in a way, but it should have been a team thing all along.
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