CINCINNATI -- Chad Ochocinco is taking some of the credit for the fact that Bengals fans in this area will be able to see the team play on TV on Sunday, and it appears he does have something to do with it. On Thursday the Bengals asked for (and got) a one-day extension of the league's deadline for selling out Sunday's home game against the Houston Texans. Had they not done so by Friday afternoon, the game would have been blacked out in the local market. And as of Thursday night, about 3,000 tickets remained unsold.But at 1:08 p.m. Eastern time, Ochocinco announced on his Twitter page that he and Motorola had bought the remaining tickets and would be giving them away. Problem solved.
"Attention: On behalf of Motorola and Esteban Ocho Cinco we've purchased the remaining tickets for Sundays game= no blackout" the announcement read. It was followed by a tweet that told followers to "stay tuned" to find out how to get the tickets. Four minutes later came this:
"Again there will be no blackout this Sunday, special thanks to Motorola and The Interesting One"
He does keep things interesting, and for a while this seemed as if it were just Ocho being Ocho. But the Bengals release announcing the sellout confirms their star receiver's involvement. It appears he aided in the purchase of 1,200 of the remaining tickets.
"Motorola will give away 1,200 tickets (600 pairs of tickets) to Bengals fans for free, starting at 11:30 am Saturday at the North Ticket Office at Paul Brown Stadium," the release reads. "Motorola is a long-time sponsor of the Bengals and has a newly aligned partnership with Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco."Ochocinco has recently been using his Twitter account as a way to give away things to fans. He's met people out for dinner at local restaurants, and later Friday night he's offering free tickets to the first 40 people to join him at a showing of "Law Abiding Citizen" at an area movie theater.
Earlier in the day, when Ocho was speaking about the way in which he's using Twitter to distribute free stuff, a Cincinnati reporter asked him for a quote about it. As expected, he delivered one:
"Oprah who?" he said.
Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Chad has NEVER been a dick, or an ass. Maybe at times a distraction, but the guy is in it for the fans and, obviously, the publicity. Fans and team come first though. Way too many people dog him for his outlandish quotes and funny dances, but he's still one of the top 10 receivers in the league and an aid in the community.
I have to admit Ochocinco is a pretty entertaining guy. I'm a Packer/Patriots fan, but I think he's good for the league and especially the Bengals.
NEVER thought I'd be saying this, but "Good job Chad"
go 85 go 85 go 85 go 85 go 85 go 85
hip hip horay
hip hip horay
hip hip horay
love that ocho cinco
Can he buy the remaining Jags tickets so I can watch them play St Louis,,Pleeeeez Ochocinco!
ps:MJD you reading this?
Nice job Ocho. He has his ways which some I think are pretty stupid at times and others funny as hell. However, I think the guy wants to win and of course winning solves lots of problems. I never thought he was a bad guy and actually kind of liked him. Only The Interesting One knows what his motivations are, however I think the guy just wants to win. I do not remember him bitching or acting a fool when he wasnt getting all the balls and Carson has some early rusty struggles, why? They were winning. These guys maybe be over paid WAY over paid but I would bet that almost all really want to win. Nice job Ocho I got Carson in my fantasy team I should have gotten you also. Keep up the Interesting work Ocho.
good job Ochenta Cinco.
Chad has always been a good guy, a little different but none the less a decent person. No off the field trouble like some of the other players, who people still idolize. Players like Ray Lewis who I can't freaking stand, whose now turning into a cheap shot artist. Chad took one of his cheap shots and got up like he was just hit by a little girl. Way to go Chad.
Lewis is nothing more than a thug. He got fined for that cheap shot. I hope Chad told him "Child, please" when he got up from the hit.
he should give them to veterans or current military personnel
Really good idea! I hope He reads your comment.
The Bengals donated 500 tickets to military families.
I know that cost him a pretty penny, but it was a class act and many people/fans got not only free tickets, but the rest can see it at home without having to buy an expensive t.v package just to see there home team.. Way to go 8-5 / Ocho Cinco....
You have no clue what he spent on these tickets. You have no clue if ANY of his personal money went toward these tickets. Since Motorola is in on it, and Motorola has a definite interest in being SEEN at the game, a person would have to be foolish to think Chad did anything here. Motorola was the generous one here.
birchibaldbarlow........You have no idea what YOU are talking about. Please, please, please read the entire story before you comment. It states, there were 3,000 tickets left to be sold, Motorola gave away 1,200 tickets (600 pairs of tickets). Ocho bought the remaining 1,200 tickets. So, that means an additional 600 tickets were sold before the 'giveaway'. You do the math.
way to go CHAD JOHNSON
I have never been a Chad fan, but I applaud him and Motorola for buying these tickets and avoiding a TV blackout for the rest of the Cincinnati fans.
Just yesterday, I derided a sports writer for condemning Cincinnati fans for poor ticket sales.
The writer, sitting in his posh, ivory tower obviously knows/cares nothing about the economics of citizens in Cincinnati or other cities in the "rust belt".
Cincinnati has an unemployment rate of 8.3% and a job-growth rate of MINUS 5.1%. The median home income is $33,300 per year.
A couple cannot afford to go to a game, let alone take 2 children.
The team owners have priced the seats beyond the reach of the blue-collar workers who have supported and built the League since its inception.
The NFL (and Goodell) has supported this. Isn't that a sad statement on the entire operation?
I challenged the elite sports writer to do some research and to write a column on the prices of game tickets, parking, and concessions across the nation.
Guess what???? He has not responded to me.
What a F'n wimp! Does that surprise anyone?
I grew up in PA and have always been a Steelers fan, but have always respected the Bengals and their fans.
Again, I applaud Chad and Motorola for their efforts.
PS - I think the A-hole sports writer's name was Bloomberg.
Very interesting....the Bengals usually sell out no matter how much they suck...and they have for a long time. However, I must compliment Chad for his noble act here. He is entertaining, to say the least. But can you change your last name back to Johnson, please? Your new last name is tough to prounce...
The man does not want one potential person to fail to watch him. I must say I enjoyed seeing him get his head knocked off last week.