Chad Johnson to cough up $5K for 'Ocho Cinco' stunt
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
He lost his golden mohawk and now, unless Chad Johnson prevails on appeal, the colorful Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is going to lose some pesos as well.
The league has fined Johnson $5,000 for wearing "Ocho Cinco" on a Velcro nameplate across the back of his uniform jersey before last Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. "Ocho Cinco," signifying his uniform No. 85, is the name by which Johnson said he wanted to be called the day leading up to the game.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported Monday evening that the league planned to fine Johnson.
Johnson wore the faux nameplate over his real surname on the uniform for pre-game warmups, and it was conspicuous when he met with Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, against whom he vowed to score two touchdowns, in practice. Just before kickoff, quarterback Carson Palmer ripped off "Ocho Cinco" nameplate, revealing "C. Johnson" on the back of the receiver's jersey.
It's expected that Johnson, who has been fined repeatedly in past seasons for his end zone choreography, will appeal the league's action.
The sixth-year veteran appeared at Wednesday's practice minus the mohawk he has been sporting since training camp. Johnson said last week that he would shave his head if he didn't score at least two touchdowns against the Falcons. He scored only once.
Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.
ESPN.com
He lost his golden mohawk and now, unless Chad Johnson prevails on appeal, the colorful Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is going to lose some pesos as well.
The league has fined Johnson $5,000 for wearing "Ocho Cinco" on a Velcro nameplate across the back of his uniform jersey before last Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. "Ocho Cinco," signifying his uniform No. 85, is the name by which Johnson said he wanted to be called the day leading up to the game.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported Monday evening that the league planned to fine Johnson.
Johnson wore the faux nameplate over his real surname on the uniform for pre-game warmups, and it was conspicuous when he met with Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, against whom he vowed to score two touchdowns, in practice. Just before kickoff, quarterback Carson Palmer ripped off "Ocho Cinco" nameplate, revealing "C. Johnson" on the back of the receiver's jersey.
It's expected that Johnson, who has been fined repeatedly in past seasons for his end zone choreography, will appeal the league's action.
The sixth-year veteran appeared at Wednesday's practice minus the mohawk he has been sporting since training camp. Johnson said last week that he would shave his head if he didn't score at least two touchdowns against the Falcons. He scored only once.
Senior writer Len Pasquarelli covers the NFL for ESPN.com.
