Cincinnati Bengals' Chad Johnson to Change Name to Chad Ocho Cinco, Rumor Says

Chad Johnson is a character. Love him or hate him. ProFootballTalk reported that number 85 has begun the process of changing his last name to "Ocho Cinco." When Chad Johnson was questioned Wednesday about the rumored name change, local news station 700 WLW reported that number 85 said, "I don't know anything about a name change. My name is Chad Johnson." However, if you know Chad, then you know he may be playing with the media. After all, he was forced to talk to the media - or face a fine - after avoiding them too long.

The History of Ocho Cinco

Anyone with the NFL Network is familiar with Chad Johnson's nickname Ocho Cinco. In 2006, Chad Johnson wore a jersey that said "Ocho Cinco" above his number 85. Subsequently, the NFL fined the Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver $5,000. Ocho Cinco has become synonymous with Chad Johnson. However, the NFL does not allow players to choose what is written on NFL jerseys. Would Chad Johnson consider a name change to circumvent the NFL rule?

Who is Chad Johnson?

Chad Johnson is one of the NFL's most flamboyant characters. He is known for his antics just as well as his Pro Bowl play at the wide receiver position. In 2007, Ocho Cinco donned a Hall of Fame jacket after scoring a touchdown. Many other touchdown celebrations have garnered fines from the NFL. Also, NFL rules cracked down on touchdown celebrations at least in part because of the antics of Chad Johnson.

The Name Change Rumor Spreads

ProFootballTalk broke the story that Chad Johnson took initial steps to change his last name in the state of Florida. Chad Johnson grew up in Miami, Florida, even if Ocho Cinco was born Cincinnati, Ohio. Nonetheless, many media outlets picked up the story. Subsequently, Chad Johnson denied any knowledge of a name change. Yet, the rumor about the Pro Bowl wide receiver persists.

And the Name Change Rumor Spreads Verbatim

Within 24 hours, the ProFootballTalk story appeared verbatim on YardBarker submitted by DreadsSwayin. It linked the original story at the end, but anyone who knows anything about fair use knows verbatim copying of an entire article is illegal. I was in the process of discerning an affiliation between the two sites, when I happened across another verbatim posting (thanks to a concerned commenter). In a breach of fair use, a large segment of the ProFootballTalk article was posted verbatim on a CBS sportsline message board by GOO GOO DOLLS without attribution.

Can Chad Johnson Bring Sexy Back as Chad Ocho Cinco?

The Cincinnati Bengals message board asked, "Would You Buy An Ocho Cinco Jersey?" As of the writing of this article, 38% of Cincinnati Bengals fans said "Yes." If Chad follows through with changing his last name to Ocho Cinco and the NFL allows him to wear Ocho Cinco above the number 85 on his NFL jersey, there would be a market for the product. Since NFL players split NFL jersey revenue with the NFL, it might be a lucrative move for Chad Johnson. The name change may be a strategy for the flamboyant character to get the money he feels he deserves. So, will the man who brought sexy back change his name? Will he bring an Ocho Cinco jersey to a store near you? And will NFL fans buy the new jersey?

Sources:
Michael David Smith, JOHNSON WANTS TO BE OCHO CINCO, LEGALLY, ProFootballTalk
C. Trent Rosecrans, Chad Johnson speaks, 700 WLW News
DreadsSwayin,

CHAD JOHNSON LEGALLY CHANGING NAME TO...OCHO CINCO (im serious) , YardBarker
GOO GOO DOLLS, Johnson to legally change name to "Ocho Cinco"? , CBS Sportsline Message Board
XOrange&BlackX, Would You Buy An Ocho Cinco Jersey?, Cincinnati Bengals' Message Board