Report: Cincinnati WR Johnson changes name Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Outlandish Cincinnati wide receiver Chad
Johnson has reportedly changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco.
A report on the Cincinnati website, citing ProFootballTalk.com, stated that
the 30-year old Johnson changed his last name to Ocho Cinco -- which is a
reference to No. 85, his uniform number, in Spanish -- in Broward County,
Florida. Johnson has his official residence in Miami.
Two years ago, Johnson gave himself the name and put it on the back of his
uniform before a game. Quarterback Carson Palmer ripped it off bef... More...
Chad Johnson will now officially be known as Chad Ocho Cinco as far as the Cincinnati Bengals are concerned, according to ESPN.com. The name is now Chad Ocho Cinco on the team's website, and a statement released by the team said, "The list of appropriate changes will include Ocho Cinco wearing his new surname on the back of his jersey for Sunday's season opener at Baltimore."
Our View:It is a little odd looking at the team website and seeing the name Chad Ocho Cinco, but he did it legally, and the team will respect his wishes.
Rookie linebacker Keith Rivers would like to change his number from 58 to 55, but it may cost him a bundle to do so, according to ESPN.com. Rivers has a deal with Reebok, which has already printed a season's worth of No. 58 jerseys with his name on them. Should he switch to 55, he could have to pay the company a $10,000 fee.
Our View:Players buy numbers from teammates for more than that almost every year, but paying a company is not something that happens quite often. Whatever number he is, Rivers should be a play maker for the Bengals defense, something they sorely need.
Though the NFL has yet to rule on what to do regarding Chad Johnson changing his name to Chad Ocho Cinco, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said it is not a stunt, and Johnson has been wanting to do this for a while, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Our View:The NFL cannot be happy about this move, as they strive to do everything in their power to make the games about the teams instead of the players. The final ruling will be interesting when it comes down.
