In the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft the Cincinnati Bengals selected a Wide Receiver by the name of Chad Johnson out of Oregon State. Just a few short years later Chad put the Bengals back on the map and helped lead a team to the playoffs in 2005 after a 15-year drought. He took the NFL by storm became the face of Cincinnati. Whether it was wearing a Hall of Fame jacket or proposing to a cheerleader his style was new and refreshing to a city that needed something to be proud of. Fans loved his guarantees and trash-talking antics. He played a major role in bringing back the chant “Who Dey!!” He went to six Pro Bowls as a Bengal and led the AFC in receiving yards for four straight seasons. Johnson represented the “C” as best he could and he did it the only way he could: very loudly. Cincinnati had its golden child and “Who Dey” mania took control of the city.
Then, the team faltered, Chad Johnson was ripped and morphed into Ochocinco. The face of the 2005 team was on his way out. In fact, he demanded to be traded after the 2007 season because he was tired of the losing. Bengals Owner Mike Brown didn’t trade him. He didn’t show up to play in 2008, underperformed, and was criticized by local and national media. Ochocinco went from being the fan favorite to the punching bag of the city. Chad followed 2008 with a solid 2009 season, but the team’s offense sputtered and lost in the first round of the playoffs. The 2010 season was supposed to be the year of the tiger, but the Bengals were one of the leagues worst teams and Chad failed to have 1,000 yards receiving for the second time in the past three years. In the off-season Ochocinco was traded and he joined forces with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. It sounded like the perfect plan, a hall of fame quarterback who lacked a downfield threat with a six time Pro Bowl Wide Receiver. But, they never got on the right page and Chad didn't get the playing time he was accustomed to getting during his ten-year career. Ochocinco has always said he just wanted to win. This season proves that because Chad was once the best wide receiver in the NFL and even though he barely reached the field this season, he called this season "fun" when talking to the media. His logic? Well, the Patriots are in the Super Bowl and that is all Chad needs on his resume to cap off what has been a great career. Everyone I have spoke to in Cincinnati has mentioned Ocho, and they have said that he “doesn’t deserve a ring” and they tend to blame him for the losing that had taken place during Chad’s tenure in Cincinnati. The majority of the people in Cincinnati are rooting against Ochocinco and the Patriots. I am rooting for him and them. He is the greatest wide receiver in Cincinnati Bengal history. He woke up the city and inspired its’ revival. Without him, the Bengals wouldn’t have made the playoffs when they did or had the lofty expectations that were bestowed upon them. Seeing a hall of fame caliber wide receiver win a ring late in his career is just what the doctor ordered. It doesn’t matter if you call him “Esteban,” “Ocho” or Mr. Johnson, it is time Cincinnati roots for Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson to win a ring on the tail end of an amazing career spent help rebuilding a franchise and overcoming over a decade of losing. Whether or not the Patriots won the Super Bowl or not, Chad Ochocinco isn't someone who should be hated in Cincinnati because he helped change the culture of a football team and more importantly, the culture of our city.
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