Chad Ochocinco Fined $5,000 for Orange Chin Strap

Posted Aug 29, 2009 1:18PM By Dan Graziano (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Bengals

Bengals receiver and prolific Twitterer Chad Ochocinco has been fined $5,000 by the NFL for wearing an orange chin strap in a recent preseason game. Ochocinco revealed the fine on his Twitter page, first with a profane exclamation of disbelief and later offering as proof this photograph of the letter he received from the league. Later, in a tweet reply to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Ochocinco said he was typing a letter back to the league and planned to fine them. It's unclear what on earth that even means.

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NFL Fines Out of Control?

Bengals star Chad Ochocinco was fined $5,000 by the NFL for wearing an orange chin strap in a preseason game. Click through to see more questionable NFL fines over the years.

Jim Rogash, Getty Images

NFL Fines Out of Control?

Bengals star Chad Ochocinco was fined $5,000 by the NFL for wearing an orange chin strap in a preseason game. Click through to see more questionable NFL fines over the years.

Jim Rogash, Getty Images

Culprit: Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers
What He Did: Holmes celebrated his Super Bowl-winning touchdown catch by paying homage to LeBron James' pregame powder toss.
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

James Borchuck, St. Petersburg Times / AP

Culprit: Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals
What He Did: Dockett (No. 90) jumped on the back of teammate Antonio Smith and rode him like a rodeo bronco.
NFL Fined Him: $20,000

Kevin Terrell, Getty Images

Culprit: Wes Welker, New England Patriots
What He Did: Made a "snow angel" after scoring this Week 16 touchdown in wintry conditions versus Arizona.
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Stephan Savoia, AP

Culprit: Shaun Ellis, New York Jets
What He Did: Chucked a large block of snow into the Seattle stands in retaliation for fans pelting New York's players with snowballs
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Joe Robbins, Getty Images

Culprit: Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots
What He Did: Stuffed the ball up his jersey as an end zone tribute to his expectant wife and the couple's yet-to-be-born daughter
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

Culprit: Brandon Jones, Tennessee Titans
What He Did: Simulated an arrest during a touchdown celebration against the Jaguars
NFL Fined Him: $15,000

Doug Benc, Getty Images

Culprit: Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh Steelers
What He Did: Wore eye black with the No. 21 to honor his late Redskins teammate, Sean Taylor
NFL Fined Him: $5,000

Gene J. Puskar, AP

Culprit: Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
What He Did: Played the bongo drums on the sideline after a 66-yard TD run
NFL Fined Him: $10,000

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

Culprit: Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
What He Did: Performed a choreographed "Cupid Shuffle" dance with teammates
NFL Fined Them: $10,000 each

Doug Benc, Getty Images

The rule Ochocinco apparently violated is Rule 5, Section 4, Article 3(a) which actually does specify that all players must wear, among other things, a "Helmet with chin strap (white only) fastened and face mask attached." So it does seem clear that Ochocinco broke a rule. But jeez. It's preseason. And $5,000? Child, please.

Ochocinco's Twitter page is here, if you're interested in the fury and the gory details. But beware, the language isn't exactly PG-13.

Strange. First thing I thought when I heard he was fined for a uniform violation was that it must have something to do with Article 3(g), which governs kicking shoes.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)

8-29-2009 @ 2:35PM

a4manbob said...

the nfl should tack on another fine for shooting off his big mouth.

8-30-2009 @ 10:12AM

Hugh said...

What do you expect from a man who legally changes his last name to a number? A huge ego and an even bigger mouth are no substitutes for talent. Where have you gone, Jerry Rice?

8-30-2009 @ 10:17AM

What a jackass.

8-30-2009 @ 9:33PM

Catmoves said...

Enough of these idiotic prima donnas in the NFL. You are required to follow a few rules in life. Lump it, shut your mouth and pay the fine. You sound like a spoiled teenager. Grow up.
And I'm all for fining the clowns with the long girlie locks, too. Say half a mil every time they go on the field.

8-29-2009 @ 7:09PM

steve said...

very tired of the Chad saga... Boring

8-30-2009 @ 7:50AM

Cyndi said...

Then quit reading it.

8-29-2009 @ 7:12PM

Sports Fan said...

As long as he and TO aren't on my team I'll find them amusing.

8-29-2009 @ 7:28PM

Steve said...

5000 for a chin strap I'm not an Ocho Cinco fan but please the No Fun League strikes again

8-29-2009 @ 9:03PM

midnitecruizer said...

Well, obviously, you don't get it, either.

8-30-2009 @ 10:34AM

MeMan said...

I don't get it? It doesn't stand out, it's not offensive, it's no different than under eye makeup or a mouth guard. What about the players with giant female hair?? That's more of a distraction than anything. Looks like someone has a personal issue with Chad and wants to flex their power.

8-30-2009 @ 12:48PM

Que Onda Loco said...

i agree..very stupid on the NFL...what do they win by doing this..its pointless...

8-31-2009 @ 3:35PM

sharffj said...

just follow the rules end of story

8-29-2009 @ 7:37PM

basman1234 said...

This is a ridiculous article. What on earth does Esteban have to do with any of this? Esteban sells guitars on TV, right?? "Ocho" gets paid enough money by the Bengals and is a member of the NFL... Dude... follow the rules. It's your livelyhood. Dummy. Anyone ever heard him speak in an interview? He isn't qualified to operate a lawnmower.

8-29-2009 @ 7:51PM

superglide84 said...

Such Drama!

8-31-2009 @ 4:23PM

CRod said...

Wow! What a tragedy to report. We are confronted with two violent wars and a pathetic econmy. Who cares about a football player's breaking a stupid NFL rule.

8-29-2009 @ 8:09PM

Teva said...

Chad Johnson A.K.A. O/C doesn't mind paying a fine now and then when he pulls some end zone antics and gets face time on the news networks.
So if he is mad its because it was unplaned and
innocent in nature. He is a over the hill player and plays for a bad team so look for more from him
as it will be his only means of getting attention.

8-29-2009 @ 8:41PM

J.P. Craig said...

Come on Chad. The NFL is going to look at you through a microscope; you should know this by now. Why do you always have to be different? Just get out there and play the freaking game, and STFU for once in your immature life.

8-29-2009 @ 9:04PM

crutch said...

the nfl is getting stupid..check that, been stupid

8-29-2009 @ 9:08PM

I agree....just more grandstanding and self-promotion. This type of player sees himself as being above the game, above the rules that "his" player association signed off on, and, above his teammates. Chad, and his love for himself, which is far above his love of the game and the desire to win, is one of the reasons the Bengals are going nowhere. Just another knucklehead of the "me" generation.

8-29-2009 @ 9:09PM

Amen, brother.....they are like a parasite slowly eating away at the fabric of the team.