Former Bengal Chad Ochocinco Changing Name Back To Johnson

by Anthony Cosenza on Feb 9, 2012 5:01 PM EST

CINCINNATI - FILE: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches the final minute of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to reports on July 28, 2011 the New England Patriots have acquired Chad Ochocinco from the Cincinnati Bengals. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson was born to be an entertainer. Even though he didn't get to realize his NFL dream this past Sunday by becoming a world champion, he still holds a special place in the hearts of many Bengals fans. He had a tumultuous NFL career in Cincinnati, and it became increasingly interesting when sometime in during the 2007 and 2008 seasons he decided to change his last name to "Ochocinco". It was a play off of his number and his then-recent affinity to soccer.

Despite the fact that the name is incorrect Spanish ("Ochocinco" translates to "eight five", not "eighty-five"), Chad used this as a major marketing ploy, building his persona on and off of the football field. It began with him coming out during pregame warmups in a jersey with the last name Ochocinco during the 2007 season. Quarterback Carson Palmer playfully ripped it off of his back, likely to avoid some sort of league fine. Even though Chad legally changed his name to "Ochocinco", he had to wait a full season to have Reebok issue actual jerseys with the "Ochocinco" name on them, otherwise he would have had to personally eat quite a bit of money.

We saw a big change in Chad this season with the New England Patriots, both on and off of the football field. Now, he's making another big change--Chad claims he'll be changing his name back to Johnson this summer.

It's the second time in a little over a calendar year that Chad has let everyone know that he'll be changing his name. Though when he says something on Twitter, you know that it's pretty official.

@ochocinco
Chad OchocincoTake them down, i'll be Johnson on july 4th RT @RUDYDAGREAT1: I just notice I got bout 5 @ochocinco jerseys signed sitting on the wall 1 day ago via Seesmic · Reply · Retweet · Favorite · powered by @socialditto

We'll see if Chad finally sticks to his word about this, but it would make his career come full-circle. It's not totally clear why he's changing his name back--music video station VH1 assumes it's because of his upcoming wedding to Evelyn Lozada. I'm sure that a lot of people will also probably point to "The Patriot Way" and/or his career seemingly coming to an end in the near future.

If you still have your "85 Johnson" jersey buried somewhere deep in your closet or garage, it may be safe to dig it back out of retirement.

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

We Should Bring Him Back Now, Since He is Going to Change his name back to Chad Johnson

He’ll probably Tear up the NFL again, since hes a #2 WR their wont be much Double Coverage his way, and AJ Green and him will make a scary duo

by Touhue Cha on Feb 9, 2012 5:03 PM EST reply actions

I'm not sure if you are kidding or not.

But i have wanted him back this whole year. He is still a very talented receiver even though his numbers don’t reflect it, and while him and marvin aren’t the best of friends, I would like to see him get another chance here in Cincy. I think that, like you said, he would not be double covered much, and as long as AD can get the ball close, he should be able to have a big year. Interesting to see how everything plays out.

by Alexneyer on Feb 9, 2012 5:06 PM EST up reply actions

Im serious, i know a lot of people wont agree with me, but hey with young guns like AJ and Dalton playing

i think he’ll just go to work and not talk too much, besides Chad was one of the best polish route runner in the game at one time, so i think he will benefit from AJ and Jermaine as well also Shipley

by Touhue Cha on Feb 9, 2012 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

i wouldn't mind chad back if we don't resign simpson.

i would definatly leave it up to the coaches on that one since they pretty much know most players personalities. I just don’t they can pull the triger even if the talent is still there.

They kept on saying how much differen’t AJ and Chads demenor were, so i doubt they go back and eat their words and sign Chad back.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Feb 9, 2012 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

Chad and AJ would be scary no doubt

besides they have a better locker room presence now too, and the team is more hungry than ever which will change Chad’s thinking and the way how he approach each week because he would be more involved in the Offense

by Touhue Cha on Feb 9, 2012 10:37 PM EST up reply actions

Anyone surprised, he wanted to switch it to 85 in Japanese a few years ago

by njbengalstat on Feb 9, 2012 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Chad's best years are behind him.

I like him though and wish for him to have success elsewhere, but he wore out his welcome in Cincinnati with running the wrong routes and being scared to get hit and dropping balls…The reality shows took him over.

1st RD-Dre Kirkpatrick-CB
1st RD-Mark Barron-SS
2nd RD-Amini Silatolu-OG
3rd RD-Alameda Ta'Amu-DT
4th RD-Marvin Jones-WR
5th RD-Marquis Maze-KR

FA: RB

by Bengal4ever on Feb 9, 2012 5:29 PM EST reply actions

If he changes back

will the league make him wear his Ochocinco jersey for one more year?

by Brian B on Feb 9, 2012 5:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions

No.

The new Jerseys allow players to change numbers and presumably, names. Also, chances are he wouldn’t be a Patriot anyways.

by KSE on Feb 9, 2012 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

Not according to ADP

There was a story last week that he wanted to change his number but was told he’d have to buy all the old jerseys at a cost of 1 mil.

by emeybee on Feb 9, 2012 5:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

With Nike coming in next yr I don't think he'd have to.

Could be wrong but if I’m not mistaken AP wanted to do the same this pat season and he would’ve had to buy all the ones Reebok printed. This yr Nike is doing the jerseys so if he told them in advance he wouldn’t have to pay nothing. Plus it says Johnson on his DL.

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 9, 2012 7:24 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

He was informed just this year that he'd have to pay $1 million dollars

by Oregonbengalsfan on Feb 9, 2012 7:30 PM EST up reply actions

Like I said, it was just last week or the week before.

Not last year.

by emeybee on Feb 9, 2012 11:54 PM EST up reply actions

Your right about AP

But Chad wouldn’t owe reebok shit cause nike has the 12 contract.

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 10, 2012 12:05 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

Palmer made him look better than he was.

I like Chad but it is what it is. Palmer tattooed his #’s with the ball alot of times. Dalton needs a little help from his receivers.

by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 9, 2012 7:26 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

+ 10

By Chad. You could have made a difference here if you wanted. You refused to block, learn your routes. New England exposed your weaknesses, it also showed some of the reason Carson left…although he threw plenty of picks with Chad. Looks great on paper. So did TO and Chad. We have moved on….I am happy.

by WhoDeyJ on Feb 9, 2012 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

Desperate.

Why does anyone want a player back that couldn’t crack the starting lineup of a team that threw the ball as much as NE. You want a guy back who doesn’t block on running plays, couldn’t learn the Patriots offense.. What makes you think he can come back and learn this offense? No wonder we never win anything. Our fans think just like MB.

"Next season will be better" circa 1990

by Yarin on Feb 9, 2012 6:11 PM EST reply actions