Ocho Cinco is officially Ocho Cinco

[Kingdom]

CINCINNATI -- Maybe receiver Chad Johnson can go by the name that his head coach hates.


The Cincinnati Bengals receiver has legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco in Broward County, Fla., a switch that became official this week. Johnson, who lives in Miami, didn't return a message left on his cell phone Friday night.

"It's something I don't think anyone has ever done before," he told the team's Web site. "Have I ever had a reason for why I do what I do? I'm having fun."

Two years ago, Johnson gave himself the moniker -- a reference in Spanish to his No. 85 -- and put it on the back of his uniform before a game. Quarterback Carson Palmer ripped it off before the kickoff. After the season, coach Marvin Lewis -- who dislikes Johnson's attention-getting stunts -- referred to the receiver as "Ocho Psycho."

Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said the Bengals had no comment on the matter.

Johnson has been a concern for the Bengals this season. He unsuccessfully lobbied for a trade in the offseason, threatening to sit out if he didn't get his way. When the Bengals refused, he relented and showed up for minicamp, but complained that his right ankle was bothering him.

He had bone spurs removed from the ankle and was limited at the start of training camp. In the second preseason game, he landed awkwardly and temporarily dislocated his left shoulder. Johnson is wearing a harness and expects to play in the season opener against Baltimore.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

...great few weeks for the bungals. Chris Henry returns, Chad's officially Ocho Cinco, and oh, wait, the regular season is starting for them soon.

[love_that_reefer]

**** this guy!

[ljshorty89]

I kinda like him. I mean, I know that it's all about him and his ego, but he's hilarious. I mean, he's now Chad OchoCinco. How can you hate a guy with that last name?

[love_that_reefer]

Pretty easily.

[ljshorty89]

Haha. On the bright side, at least he produces to back up his ego...

[love_that_reefer]

He's not even the best receiver on his own team. That HOF jacket he wore needs to be burned.

[ljshorty89]

Idk about that. I mean TJ Houshmanzadeh is very good as well, but how do you define best receiver. I mean, Chad's stats have been better for a longer period of time, and I believe Chad is still the #1 receiver on the depth charts. That says something...

[HollywoodLeo]

I don't hate him for it I just think it's stupid.

[ljshorty89]

Stupid, yes. Funny, I think so.

I mean, at least he didn't opt out during the Super Bowl....

[HollywoodLeo]

The nickname in and of itself is pretty stupid.

To make it his official name is that much more stupid.

Yeah, it's funny, but in a "laughing at you" sort of way, not a "laughing with you".

[Kingdom]

Much like everyone laughs at the team. Fitting.

Chad is entering the Tyson Zone, sadly.

[HollywoodLeo]

It'd be hilarious if the Bengals made Chad change his jersey number.

[NYgiantsfan5689]

I have to agree with LJ, i find Chad to be hilarious and creative. I mean, not only would nobody else have the balls to do that, but nobody would even think of that.

[Foster]

Chad is entering the Tyson Zone, sadly.

He hasn't gone for the face tattoo yet.
That's when you know he has reached his max.

[ljshorty89]

See, I do agree with Leo that it'd be priceless if the Bengals changed his jersey number. I just think that this idea, while completely egotistical, was kinda funny.