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Ocho Cinco will stick with Johnson jersey for rest of 2008 season
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Chad Ocho Cinco will keep his dual identity for the rest of the NFL season.
The Cincinnati Bengals receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson said on Thursday he'll wear his old name on the back of his uniform for the rest of the season. It would have cost him a lot of money to make the switch for this season.
"We've just left it alone," he said. "I'll just wait and do it next year."
The Pro Bowl receiver legally changed his name to Ocho Cinco before the season in August in reference to his uniform number -- "eight five" in Spanish.
But Reebok, which produces NFL jerseys for sale to fans, had a large inventory of jerseys with his old name ready for sale. While the league respected the receiver's name change, it said he couldn't wear "Ocho Cinco" on the back of his jersey until he compensated Reebok for the old jerseys that would now be a tough sell.
Teammate Keith Rivers had to pay about $10,000 (euro7,800) to change his number before the start of the season.
It would have cost Ocho Cinco far more, given the popularity of his jersey. His No. 85 and quarterback Carson Palmer's No. 9 are the ones most often seen around Cincinnati. The receiver declined to say how much the switch would have cost him.
Ocho Cinco said he can get his new name on the back of his jersey next season without having to compensate Reebok.
"Stupid politics," he said.
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