Chad Johnson
Cincinnati Bengals wideout Chad Johnson has reportedly started proceedings to have his last name officially changed Ocho Cinco. In the past, Johnson has been told he would be fined if he wore the name during games.
Al Behrman, AP
The Bengals' star is known for his antics both on and off the field. "I'm the type that I want everyone to like me and what I do." The outspoken wideout has always found creative ways to push the NFL's celebration rules.
Ben Liebenberg, NFL Photos / Getty Images
Love him or hate him, you have to give him credit for his creativity when it comes to bringing laughs. Johnson put this sports jacket on after a 39-yard touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens in 2007.
David Kohl, AP
Johnson began sporting a blond mohawk in '06, a look that morphed into a team marketing ploy. Blond rubber scalps were sold in the team gift shop.
AJ Mast, AP
According to Chad, Tiger Woods has nothing on his golf game, as he showed versus the Ravens. The showman once used the pylon to putt the football after scoring a touchdown.
Dan Beineke, NFL / Getty Images
In another premeditated move, the Bengals wideout resuscitated a ball in the end zone after a score.
Jimmy DeFlippo, USP / ZUMA Press
Johnson has also used his celebrity for good causes. In 2007, he raised money for charity by racing a horse. Thanks to a head start, he won the race by several lengths.
David Kohl, AP
In news that, well, seems about two years overdue, Chad Johnson is apparently contemplating a name change. And while "Ron" or "Lyndon" or "White Shoes" seem marginally logical, Johnson is going in a different direction. Via MDS at PFT:
We've learned that Johnson has taken the first steps in the state of Florida toward legally changing his last name to Ocho Cinco. ...MDS also points out that NFL players can make a nontrivial pile of dough through jersey sales, and assuming "Ocho Cinco" jerseys would be wildly popular, there's no reason to think Johnson isn't using this as a marketing ploy.
If Johnson follows through on this, his actual, legal name will be Chad Ocho Cinco, and the NFL would then (we assume) allow him to put his new last name on the back of his jersey.
Which is why NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who appears to have the sense of humor of a robot not programmed to have a sense of humor, might be interested in nipping this in the bud before it gets out of hand.
Here's to hoping this works out for Johnson; if he wants to legally change his name, no matter how idiotic-sounding, I'm all for it. My only regret is that he didn't go with "Dr. Porkenheimer's Boner Juice." That would've really moved some merchandise.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
8-13-2008 @ 2:58PM
Tha_Prowler said...
how did that 'orgasm rodman' name change work out...
stop it chad.
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8-13-2008 @ 4:22PM
Adam said...
Max Power!!!
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8-14-2008 @ 1:54AM
George B Vieto said...
I would love to be a fly in the wall to find out if some celebrities would legally change their name to their alter egos? For example Steve Williams (aka Stone Cold Steve Austin). Ocho Cinco for Chad Johnson would have the late Redd Foxx roll in his grave.
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8-14-2008 @ 6:44AM
Lex said...
...Too bad we are not speaking of this 'fool' because he led his Bengal teamates to a great Super Bowl victory, or did inspiring charity work. Poor Carson Palmer must puke every morning to see this jerk in the locker room and wonder, 'by how many points would my old team, USC have beaten this current bunch of paid losers... ?'
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8-14-2008 @ 6:48AM
JC said...
I'm sure the police dept. will still use "Johnson" on all their paper work.
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8-14-2008 @ 8:45AM
Bill said...
No JC they will use his legal name... Just like they do with you when you get locked up.
8-14-2008 @ 6:53AM
Chamberhog said...
Kareem Abdul Jabbar? Mohammad Ali?... Changing names for sports figures is news and something to be discussed??? If it's allowable and legal with the courts, then it's none of the NFL's... or anyone else's... business, nor is it subject to their "approval". Move on, folks.
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8-14-2008 @ 7:14AM
sue said...
Seriously, who cares?
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8-14-2008 @ 7:54AM
Doug said...
begging*
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8-14-2008 @ 8:49AM
Marilyn said...
Nice to see that racism is still alive JC. I can always count on some stupid person to make a comment like you.
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8-14-2008 @ 8:04AM
Kimberly said...
Most stars change thier name for to be more recognizable...lets face it STING wasnt born with that name but does anyone really care?? After all, if it is leaglly changed, the government can still track you. He would have to live with the name change and if it is done legally then he isnt breaking any law...so WHO cares?? a whole Big Deal out of somthing so simple and unimportant!!
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8-14-2008 @ 8:08AM
i love stephanie said...
JC you sound like a racist or a hater. No matter how crazy Ocho Cinco he hasn't had one incident with the law other than not paying taxes on a condo or something and that's something a lot of people don't do (pay taxes) SO for you to say police dept. and paper work is ignorant. Now some of his teammates and ex teammates are regular stays at a precinct but CJ is not one of them, he may be, well he is, off the wall, but he is no criminal. And Douf you are ignorant CJ is not a thug, thugs get in trouble with the law. CJ is a clown though, if you had said clown then you'd be correct.
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8-14-2008 @ 8:44AM
Laura said...
Hey dude; your ancestors paid with blood and sweat for your sir name....nothing as pure as dissing your heritage for a few bucks. And the world moves on.
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8-14-2008 @ 11:24AM
Willy said...
Are you SURE that Johnson is his REAL family name? Who did the original dissing of the family name? And by the way, it's a "surname", not a "sir name".
8-14-2008 @ 1:11PM
jules said...
Umm, no they didn't. The slave masters gave them their names, usually the masters name. Most blacks didn't get to keep their names when they were brought over here 200 years ago & put into slavery. Check your black history books. Why do you think Malcolm X took the name he had? He refused to be called by a white mans name hence the long islamic name El-Shabazz Malik (not real sure) etc etc etc. Most can't find what their ancestors names were.
8-14-2008 @ 3:59PM
Willy said...
jules - Thank you! I was sure I couldn't be the only one who knew that, and you said it very well!
8-14-2008 @ 8:46AM
Shayla said...
Mohhamed Ali as well as Kareem Abdul Jabar changed their names for religious reasons...not because it sounded cool and certainly not as a marketing ploy.But there again, their talents spoke for them unlike this yoyo.
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8-14-2008 @ 8:49AM
DAVE said...
This IDIOT is doing this to make money off all you IDIOTS who care .
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8-14-2008 @ 8:59AM
ms.r said...
chad is a waste .just like chris henrey .when you owe the city money chad for fines pay them damit you have the cash .low life i got a better name for yah
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8-14-2008 @ 9:13AM
les said...
ok, not to defend jc, but how the he!! is that racist. white or black, isn't there a huge percentage of sports figures that get in trouble with the law?
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