Former Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco holds many of the franchise's all-time receiving records, eclipsing legends like Isaac Curtis, Eddie Brown, Cris Collinsworth or even Carl Pickens, who played during one of the more depressing Bengals eras in the history of planet Earth. During his final season with the Cincinnati Bengals, Chad generated 67 receptions for 831 yards receiving alongside Terrell Owens with Carson Palmer as the quarterback. One year later Palmer was traded for a first-round pick in 2012 and a second-round selection in 2013, Chad was shipped to New England for a fifth-round pick in 2012 and a sixth-round selection in 2013 and Owens signed with the Dallas Wranglers of the IFL. The Bengals improved by five wins, earning a berth into the 2011 NFL playoffs.
| Chad Ochocinco's career in Cincinnati | ||
| Category | Statistic | Franchise Rank |
| Receptions | 751 | 1st |
| Yards Receiving | 10,783 | 1st |
| Touchdowns | 66 | 1st |
| 100-Yard Games | 31 | 1st |
Leaving Cincinnati for New England didn't follow the same path as Corey Dillon's journey. Whereas the running back was an effective and vital member of New England's offense during the 2004 Super Bowl season, Chad has only posted 15 receptions for 276 yards receiving in 15 games for the Patriots this year.
On the other hand Chad will be heading to the Super Bowl this season, calling this year a humbling experience:
"It’s been a learning experience; that’s what this has been," Ochocinco told the AP. "This had been one of the most humbling experiences I’ve ever been in. This is one of the first times I’ve been about doing exactly what everyone told me to do. It wasn’t about the numbers. It wasn’t about money. It wasn’t about me."