Chad Ochocinco Johnson, born Chad Javon Johnson, is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Santa Monica Corsairs and the Oregon State Beavers, and played for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots during his tenure playing in the NFL.
This article delves into the fascinating history of Chad Johnson's jerseys, exploring the evolution of his on-field identity and the stories behind the names and numbers he wore.
Chad Johnson with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006
Early Career and the "Johnson" Jersey
He graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School. In 2000, Johnson transferred to Oregon State University, after being aggressively recruited by coach Dennis Erickson to play for the OSU team. He was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft and played for them for 10 seasons.
Initially, Johnson sported the traditional "C. Johnson" on the back of his Cincinnati Bengals jersey.
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Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson's Can't Cover Me Career Highlights | NFL Legends
The "Ocho Cinco" Era
In 2007, previous to Ochocinco’s legal name change from Chad Johnson, he wore a uniform with a removable flap with OCHO CINCO covering C. JOHNSON. 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 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.
The NFL had agreed to let the player formerly known as Chad Johnson wear his new name on the back of his jersey this season. The receiver legally changed his name in Florida last August.The league has agreed to let him wear his new name this year, but it will be rendered as "Ochocinco" because that's how he wrote it when he submitted his name-change form in Florida.
Neither he nor his agent returned phone messages Thursday to discuss the name being one word instead of two. "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.
On October 25, 2006, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Johnson, whose jersey number was "85", announced that he would prefer to be called "Ocho Cinco," which is "eight five" in Spanish. During warm-ups for the October 29, 2006, game against the Atlanta Falcons, the back of his jersey read "Ocho Cinco" instead of "C. Johnson." Quarterback Carson Palmer ripped the label off the jersey to reveal the usual "C. Johnson.
Chad Johnson legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ochocinco on August 29, 2008. The Cincinnati Bengals decided to allow him to have it on the back of his jersey, though Ochocinco continued to wear his old "C. Johnson" jersey during the 2008 football season because of contractual obligations with Reebok.
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Ochocinco announced on his live USTREAM broadcast in 2009 that he would be legally changing his last name to "Hachi Go" in 2010. He also held up a customized Cincinnati Bengals jersey with the last name "Hachi Go" on the back.
Chad Johnson Cincinnati Bengals Jersey
Controversies and Tributes
Pro Football Talk is reporting that Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is planning on honoring teammate Chris Henry by wearing Henry’s number 15 jersey. The league said that, while Ochocinco can wear number 15 in practice, he will be fined if he does not wear his usual number 85. Commemorative patches have been allowed frequently to mark the passing of an individual, but these must be preapproved for the entire team, rather than for an individual or group of players.
Throughout the period on game-day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including in pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field), players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office.
In addition to being one of the most productive receivers in the NFL, Johnson was also one of the most popular in balloting for the Pro Bowl. In the fan voting for the 2006 game, he finished first in votes for wide receivers, and fourth overall with 987,650 total votes. Johnson earned nationwide attention for his flamboyant attitude, which was often seen during his infamous end zone celebrations after catching touchdown passes.
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The Bengals began the season 0-8, with Carson Palmer forced out for the season with an injury incurred early in the campaign and Johnson experiencing his worst statistical season of his career to date. During the season, Johnson expressed remorse for the developments in the 2008 season and attempted to make it up to the fans in Cincinnati through numerous actions.
Later Career and Jersey Changes
On July 28, 2011, the New England Patriots acquired Johnson in a trade with Cincinnati after he restructured a three-year contract for $6.35 million. Johnson had statistically the least productive season of his career, catching 15 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown, all career lows. Johnson played in his first Super Bowl, catching one pass for 21 yards.
Johnson signed a two-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on April 17, 2014. During the 2014 CFL season, Johnson appeared in only five regular season games, mostly due to nagging injuries. In total, he accumulated seven receptions for 151 yards, and scored one touchdown.
Legacy and Throwback Jerseys
Whether you want to relive your team's greatest seasons or show off your timeless style as a fan, our selection of throwback Chad Johnson Jerseys has something unique for every fan. Discover the ultimate collection of official Chad Johnson throwback and retro Jerseys at Mitchell & Ness and get geared up in the most authentic retro apparel while paying tribute to the legends of the game.
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