We recently learned that Vikings quarterback Brett Favre doesn’t know the meaning of the term “schism.”
Apparently, Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco doesn’t understand the word “uniform.”
Chad is pitching a fit, Twitter-style, over a $5,000 fine he received for wearing an orange chinstrap during the team’s Thursday night game against the Rams.
Said Ochocinco on his Twitter page earlier today: “I got a damn fine already, it’s the damn preseason, this is some bullshit!!!!“
(There’s a good chance that complaining about the fine in a profane and public forum will result in a separate fine, which could spark a cycle that will end only when Ochocino is banko-rupto.)
In a subsequent tweet directed to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Ochocinco said, “mort this is fuc^#%ing ridiculous, I am typing a letter back to the league office as we speak, I’m fining they a$$ back!!!!”
Later, Chad took the tongue-in-cheek position that he wore the orange chinstrap because he’s disabled: “Im sueing the NFL, I am color blind so this fine is discriminating because I’m disabled in a way, this is a sad day for me:(“
(We agree that he’s “disabled in a way,” but not because he’s colorblind.)
Actually, Chad got lucky on this one. The fine schedule calls for a $7,500 fine for “chin straps.” Apparently, the league office applies that fine only to players who fail to buckle their straps, relying upon the $5,000 catch-all for “other” uniform violations where the chinstrap is buckled, but not the same color as the chinstraps worn by every other player on the team.
It’s not yet known how Ochocinco got his hands on an orange chinstrap. Technically, the league can fine the Bengals and/or the coaching staff for “condoning, permitting, etc.” uniform violations.
Then again, the league didn’t fine the Bengals for making an “Ocho Cinco” name plate and attaching it to Chad’s game jersey several years ago. It’s thus unlikely that the league will fine the team for letting Chad use an orange chinstrap, even if the Bengals obtained it for him.
And, of course, Chad will call us “haters” for pointing any of this stuff out.
But we’re just doing our job. If we didn’t, NBC would fine us $5,000.
The NFL is ridiculous for fining a guy over a chin strap.
There goes the money he saved by buying those cheap earrings.
Child please!
Another jackass, he knew what he was doing!!!
How much is the fine for a brown jockstrap?
Entertaining as heck, though.
As the man-child continues his antics, the Bengals are headed for lasto placeo.
NFL = No Fun League
It’s ok, he just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico. That should more than cover his fines this year!
This is really sad……From Twitter:
OGOchoCinco Im sueing the NFL, I am color blind so this fine is discriminating because I’m disabled in a way, this is a sad day for me:(
If true, he can obviously tell the diff between dark colors and light colors, and should still be fined. Entirely his fault and a shame he is trying to exploit his disability in this way!
The dumb ass must like to give his money away.
rediculous…i want the fun back in this league…i wish they would just let chad be chad…
Come on Florio, is it this slow of a day? Chad has worn orange and black chin straps in various games over the past 2 seasons. The team has never been fined – though I’m sure Chad has.
Maybe the next move for Brandon Marshall is to wear an orange chin strap. Then he can call Tony Dungheap for a 8th chance.
$5000 for a chin strap and no fine for his “Grill” ?
Goodell must have a grill himself.
What an asshole!
With the NFL fielding some of the worst-looking ballplayers I’ve ever seen, the chinstrap issue is silly, in my opinion.
For the past decade or longer I’ve been treated to untucked jerseys, exposed underarms, breeches rolled up over the knees or twisted to the front, way too many patches and decals, ridiculous jersey “sleeve” stripes where no sleeves exist, and the awful socks. High whites, low whites, no whites, no consistency or uniformity below the knee. Add the “Audrey Hepburn” look that some squads seem to actually like, then witness that many teams look like a high school squad that shops at Goodwill and dances at the Met.
So Ochocinco, who can actually accessorize, gets gigged for wearing an approved piece of gear in a team color?
I would prefer the NFL to loosen the rules on chinstraps, gloves, shoes and such, so players can exhibit some individuality and personal style. Then they could strictly enforce the tucking of jerseys, the proper wearing of the uniform pants, and keeping socks pulled up, with the whites in correct position. These uniform rules, especially as relate to showing no underarms, midriffs or calves, are many decades old and were instituted with the aim of presenting a professional appearance.
Where have Tom Landry’s Cowboys gone? Jerry Rice primping in the mirror before heading out onto the field? Even Mike Ditka’s Bears, with their rolled-up sleeves and advertisement-laden towels and sweatbands, presented a crisp, professional appearance. Many of today’s players look more like professional wrestlers than professional football players. Let Ochocinco wear his orange chinstrap, just tell him to pull his damned whites up!
The Bengals will lose 11 games this season. So all in all its a winning season for Cincy.
“…only when Ochocino is banko-rupto.”
I love it!
“Sh*t” = one of the seven words.
To the Haters
Chad set’s money aside each year for fines such as these…Not only that but the money goes to charity so you act like he’s throwing it away but it’s going to a good cause.
Obviously, Chad JOHNSON did not receive enough attention as a child.
Chad’s awesome atleast he doesn’t cry like T.O.!
I don’t care for players that think they are above the rules and the team. A team should be about the team as a whole, not one or two players. This guy requires too much damn attention for one player who hasn’t even arrived at his position yet. Show me some consistent seasons back to back, and act like you place the team before you. This guy has to change his name and break rules to get noticed. What’s entertaining to me is watching good professional football and a strong competitive game. I don’t need to see some imbecile doing a river dance in the end zone after scoring a touchdown. Jim Brown never celebrated once after a score and I can assure you he was more entertaining to watch than Chad Johnson or whoever he is this week.
” it’s the damn preseason . . .” Hey el dummo, preseason stupidity is the same as in season stupidity. Pay your fine and learn something. You don’t like it, go flip burgers.
Do not let the man put his thumb on you and hold you down Ocho! F the uniform police!
Maybe Ochenta y Cinco is already bancarrota, mentalmente, that is.
This don’t say much for the COACH, he’s just at much fault as OC. This is his last year anyway,as it will be for many losing coach’es
He has worn the chinstrap in previous years. I don’t know if he was fined for it.
Is David Fulcher still the uniform enforcement person assigned to the Bengals for the NFL?
In the past, David has warned players of violations that he will sent to the NFL before the game. Things like shoe colors, etc. So OC was likely informed ahead of time and he is just acting up to get attention now.
I can’t wait until he gets the gold shoes into a game! I bet there is a six figure fine for that!
I’m sure that the coaching staff is worrying about if the players chin straps are to spec before a game. That is the players responsibility. A $5000 fine for a player wearing a chin strap in the teams colors seems ridiculous to me.
“Apparently, Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco doesn’t understand the word ‘uniform.’”
Is that really a surprise? He doesn’t understand the word “team” either.
$5,000 for the chin strap
AND
500,000 for publicly ripping the lp4eagie in a profanity -laced fashion.
:::The cash register keeps calculating as Chad ‘s mouth keeps going and going.:::
The Ocho Cinco Bunny never stops babbling bullshit or making a total ass of himself in public.
Just keeps annoying and insulting.
This is a news flash – The NFL has rules!! What makes this idiot think that he can flaunt them any time he wants and then get pissed off when they call him on it? Think about it – teams that have morons like this around are usually teams with big internal problems. More to the point, they are teams that don’t win. Do you think a coach like Belicheck would put up with this foolishness? If I was his coach, I would take the chin-strap, the stupid gold gloves he wore against the Patriots and his computer out to the fifty yard line and burn them. Then I would fine him for every ‘tweet’ he sends out afterward. I don’t give a damn how talented he is. After all, his talent really got them far last year didn’t it? Time to grow up ‘Chad.’
Jack Lambert would have kicked his sorry ass…
Orange chin straps are bad for the image, but those disgusting dreads hanging 2 feet out of the helmet are OK? Give me a break. Goodell you are a clown.
if he thinks he’s going to win an arguement with the league, he may as well kiss the baby.