Chad Johnson shoves reporter (1 Viewer)

[LILB811]

FOX Sports

Johnson still making news for wrong reasons

By Alex Marvez

Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer.

Updated: February 7, 2008, 10:30 PM EST

If not for the threat of violence, Chad Johnson's behavior following Thursday's Pro Bowl practice was perversely comical.

Moments after agent Drew Rosenhaus told me that Johnson was trying to resolve his problems with Cincinnati management "behind the scenes," the Bengals wide receiver ripped into the team again in an NFL Network interview.

When finished, "Ocho Cinco" would say nada to every non-NFL owned news outlet. That made independent media members — those who Johnson should have wanted in his corner — much less sympathetic to his plight.

It gets better.

Before leaving, Johnson was stopped by a member of the league's media relations department (Michael Lipman) for me and another reporter. I asked Johnson whether he was having a better off-season after venting some of his frustration publicly at the Super Bowl.

Johnson walked off without answering the question. Lipman tried speaking with him again, only to get shoved. The much-bigger Johnson then stared down Lipman before stepping onto a jitney headed toward the players' hotel.

Unprofessional behavior? Absolutely.

But at this point, you wouldn't expect anything else.

Johnson opened the 2007 season with another humorous end-zone celebration. He donned a yellow jacket similar to those worn by Hall of Fame players with a message printed on the back: "Future H.O.F. 20??"

By the end of the year, no one was laughing.

Johnson remained one of the NFL's most potent offensive weapons, breaking his own franchise record with 1,440 receiving yards. But that achievement was overshadowed by the growing belief that he was selfish and becoming a locker-room cancer like former Bengals wide receiver Carl Pickens during the mid-1990s.

Johnson's fun-loving image began taking hits in an early October loss to New England. He continued to argue with quarterback Carson Palmer long after miscommunication on a route that resulted in a Patriots interception. During future games, Johnson sometimes alternated between sulking and becoming demonstrative when unable to connect with Palmer.

This may have contributed to Palmer posting his lowest quarterback rating (86.7) in three seasons. It also doesn't seem coincidental that fellow Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh was a first-ballot Pro Bowl selection in voting by fans, players and coaches, while Johnson is appearing as an alternate only because New England's Randy Moss (ankle) withdrew.

Johnson admitted Thursday on the NFL Network that he has "gotten out of line every now and then." But he added, "What great one doesn't? What great one is not emotional about what he does? What great one does not have passion about what he does? What great one hates losing?

"Find me a great one that doesn't do the same things that I've done in the past and I'll stop playing. Period."

Johnson believes he was being undermined in 2007 by a "prominent source" inside the Bengals who was leaking negative things about him to the media. Unfortunately, I couldn't ask Johnson whether "prominent source" is a code word for Bengals coach Marvin Lewis.

"I think whatever happens in-house gets out," Johnson said. "(The Bengals) have been stirring it for 16 weeks. ... I don't know where all those voices are now. I seem to be the only one speaking out."

The Bengals are refusing to comment on Johnson or his claims.

Before the year ended, Johnson started making noise about playing elsewhere. He lobbied to join Miami shortly before playing the Dolphins in the season finale. Johnson then teased interest in Carolina, Chicago and New England while making the rounds during Super Bowl XLII-week interviews in Phoenix.

In fact, Johnson can probably see himself wearing every helmet that will be represented during Sunday's Pro Bowl except Cincinnati's.

The Bengals aren't inclined to trade Johnson because of salary-cap ramifications, not to mention that he is an outstanding player. A source told FOXSports.com that Cincinnati could take an $8 million cap hit by jettisoning Johnson. Even if some of that charge can be reduced through different cap mechanisms, the source said the Bengals have yet to deeply explore the option.

Two years ago, Johnson was given a six-year, $33.5 million contract, even though his previous deal wasn't set to expire until 2009. Clearly, that move backfired.

"A resolution is going to happen," Houshmandzadeh said Thursday. "It has to. Whatever happens, we'll go with it."

The Bengals are wise not to rush into a Johnson trade with the 2008 regular season seven months away. Plenty can transpire between now and then.

Johnson might make amends with Lewis and try for a fresh start. Maybe the 30-year-old Johnson will retire, a possibility he raised during a Super Bowl week interview. Or something completely bizarre could happen, like Johnson getting suspended under the NFL's conduct policy if he keeps assaulting league employees.

Now that would be entertaining.

This guy definitely has an agenda with Chad. It really seems like the media is just trying to provoke him at this point, can you blame the guy for not wanting to answer ridiculous questions?

 

[Banger]

Poor man's TO.

 

[gman8343]

Poor man's TO.

TO never shoved anyone to my knowledge or threatened physical violence.

 

[Banger]

Poor man's TO.

TO never shoved anyone to my knowledge or threatened physical violence.

Good point. I was referring to the team cancer/loud mouth/end zone dance angle but just not as good.

 

[mcintyre1]

I don't know why athletes/celebrities get so much flack for pushing reporters/photographers out of the way. Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of people yelling questions at you and standing in your way? Have you had to deal with it day after day for years? I think I'd get in a little shoving myself.

 

[redman]

This guy definitely has an agenda with Chad. It really seems like the media is just trying to provoke him at this point, can you blame the guy for not wanting to answer ridiculous questions?

Not wanting to answer questions <> shoving someoneThe questions weren't ridiculous either - Chad has done nothing this offseason but draw attention to his dissatisfaction with his team, but when someone asks him whether he feels his vocal approach to this has been helpful or productive, that's a "ridiculous question"?

 

[redman]

I don't know why athletes/celebrities get so much flack for pushing reporters/photographers out of the way. Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of people yelling questions at you and standing in your way? Have you had to deal with it day after day for years? I think I'd get in a little shoving myself.

Oh Chad, that poor, poor man. And he was doing everything he could this offseason to stay out of the glare of the media.

 

[Yitbos69]

I don't know why athletes/celebrities get so much flack for pushing reporters/photographers out of the way. Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of people yelling questions at you and standing in your way? Have you had to deal with it day after day for years? I think I'd get in a little shoving myself.

I would agree....and not having been there we really have no idea what happen.....lets see how it plays out

 

[Ghost Rider]

I don't know why athletes/celebrities get so much flack for pushing reporters/photographers out of the way. Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of people yelling questions at you and standing in your way? Have you had to deal with it day after day for years? I think I'd get in a little shoving myself.

Pfft. Chad Johnson practically begs for the attention.

 

[Yitbos69]

I don't know why athletes/celebrities get so much flack for pushing reporters/photographers out of the way. Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of people yelling questions at you and standing in your way? Have you had to deal with it day after day for years? I think I'd get in a little shoving myself.

Pfft. Chad Johnson practically begs for the attention.

Why do you hate Art Monk?

 

[redman]

I don't know why athletes/celebrities get so much flack for pushing reporters/photographers out of the way. Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of people yelling questions at you and standing in your way? Have you had to deal with it day after day for years? I think I'd get in a little shoving myself.

Pfft. Chad Johnson practically begs for the attention.

This is Britney Spears without(?) the mental problems.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I don't know why athletes/celebrities get so much flack for pushing reporters/photographers out of the way. Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of people yelling questions at you and standing in your way? Have you had to deal with it day after day for years? I think I'd get in a little shoving myself.

Pfft. Chad Johnson practically begs for the attention.

Why do you hate Art Monk?

Off topic much? Also, just because I think Monk is a borderline HoFer at best doesn't mean I hate him.

I don't know why athletes/celebrities get so much flack for pushing reporters/photographers out of the way. Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of people yelling questions at you and standing in your way? Have you had to deal with it day after day for years? I think I'd get in a little shoving myself.

Pfft. Chad Johnson practically begs for the attention.

This is Britney Spears without(?) the mental problems.

 

[Road Warriors]

Opener:

If not for the threat of violence, Chad Johnson's behavior following Thursday's Pro Bowl practice was perversely comical.

Actual action:

Johnson walked off without answering the question. Lipman tried speaking with him again, only to get shoved. The much-bigger Johnson then stared down Lipman before stepping onto a jitney headed toward the players' hotel.

Unprofessional behavior? Absolutely.

Conclusion:

Johnson might make amends with Lewis and try for a fresh start. Maybe the 30-year-old Johnson will retire, a possibility he raised during a Super Bowl week interview. Or something completely bizarre could happen, like Johnson getting suspended under the NFL's conduct policy if he keeps assaulting league employees.

This guy definitely has an agenda with Chad. It really seems like the media is just trying to provoke him at this point, can you blame the guy for not wanting to answer ridiculous questions?

I'd sure love to see footage of the "shove". Was it a push past, because I'm leaving now. Or did he shove him to the ground aggressively? The media loves to sensationalize this stuff. Calling it assault? "the threat of violence"?

Just more reason to love the media.

 

[Buckna]

 

[mad sweeney]

I just wish he'd mean it when he said "Show me a great one who doesn't do this and that and I'll shut up". I can think of a few that should hopefully shut him up forever. Without any thought whatsoever Tim Brown and Marvin Harrison come to mind.

 

[Yitbos69]

Why do you hate Art Monk?

Off topic much?

Also, just because I think Monk is a borderline HoFer at best doesn't mean I hate him.

I think you hate him because he is IN the HOF.....no longer borderilne Buddy....no matter how many times you say it...

 

[Road Warriors]

I just wish he'd mean it when he said "Show me a great one who doesn't do this and that and I'll shut up". I can think of a few that should hopefully shut him up forever. Without any thought whatsoever Tim Brown and Marvin Harrison come to mind.

The league could use a few more like those 2.

 

[Banger]

I don't know why athletes/celebrities get so much flack for pushing reporters/photographers out of the way. Have you ever been surrounded by dozens of people yelling questions at you and standing in your way? Have you had to deal with it day after day for years? I think I'd get in a little shoving myself.

You have to take the good with the bad and he totally brings it on himself. CJ has never met a mike he doesn't like and is constantly wanting to talk about something. Then gets annoyed when he gets pressed about being a distraction...weak...

 

[redman]

I just wish he'd mean it when he said "Show me a great one who doesn't do this and that and I'll shut up". I can think of a few that should hopefully shut him up forever. Without any thought whatsoever Tim Brown and Marvin Harrison come to mind.

Jerry Rice. He whined a few times, but nothing like this guy's antics.

 

[mad sweeney]

I just wish he'd mean it when he said "Show me a great one who doesn't do this and that and I'll shut up". I can think of a few that should hopefully shut him up forever. Without any thought whatsoever Tim Brown and Marvin Harrison come to mind.

Jerry Rice. He whined a few times, but nothing like this guy's antics.

He was the first I thought of but I knew there was a little flack from his ealry years and didn't want someone to slam me for it. But yeah, Rice, Largent makes 4 HoFers, is that enough to shut him up, please?

 

[LILB811]

This guy definitely has an agenda with Chad. It really seems like the media is just trying to provoke him at this point, can you blame the guy for not wanting to answer ridiculous questions?

Not wanting to answer questions <> shoving someoneThe questions weren't ridiculous either - Chad has done nothing this offseason but draw attention to his dissatisfaction with his team, but when someone asks him whether he feels his vocal approach to this has been helpful or productive, that's a "ridiculous question"?

Personally I didn't take the question as something that the reporter was asking seriously. To me, his tone seemed like he wanted to get under Chad's skin for being outspoken, and he may have also took it that way.The guy is clearly unhappy in Cincinnati. The team refuses to address the defensive side of the ball, and to me that shows a lack of commitment to winning. As a player, that most certainly would have me frustrated. Complaining to the media is the wrong thing to do, no doubt, but they take a story and run with it.I completely agree, that not wanting to answer questions is <> shoving someone

 

[Chunky Soup]

Poor man's TO.

TO never shoved anyone to my knowledge or threatened physical violence.

Good point. I was referring to the team cancer/loud mouth/end zone dance angle but just not as good.

TO in terms of team cancer >>> CJ. This isn't close. CJ's antics are out of love/fun -- TOs are out of hate.TO had a fight in the Eagles locker room, continuously and openly criticizes McNabb and Garcia, and obviously, does much more. What does CJ do thats *really* so bad? You're forgetting about a few years ago if you're seriously comparing the two.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Poor man's TO.

TO never shoved anyone to my knowledge or threatened physical violence.

Good point. I was referring to the team cancer/loud mouth/end zone dance angle but just not as good.

TO in terms of team cancer >>> CJ. This isn't close. CJ's antics are out of love/fun -- TOs are out of hate.TO had a fight in the Eagles locker room, continuously and openly criticizes McNabb and Garcia, and obviously, does much more. What does CJ do thats *really* so bad? You're forgetting about a few years ago if you're seriously comparing the two.

I doubt anyone is forgetting that stuff, but disruptive and immature behavior is just that. A WR doesn't have to lower himself all the way to Owens's level before he can be criticized, ya know.

 

[kaso]

I am on the fence with issues like this. While I would be one of the first to agree that dealing with the media is part of the package you are dealt with in this profession and you have to take the bad with the good of it all, I am also very quick to not pass judgement on his actions. The word "push" could mean a lot of things. The writer doesn't specify if Johnson put two hands on this guys chest and pushed him to the ground, nor does he say that Johnson pushed his way past him.

In this specific situation because the details are pretty sketchy at best I have to give the benefit of the doubt to Johnson.

And at some level by walking away Johnson made it clearly known that he wasn't interested in continuing the conversation, so he shouldn't have had to deal with the second approach (not that I am trying to say that it would justify any physical violence).

 

[Loopdog]

you can tell chad is obviously frustrated with his situation. he's always been the fun loving go lucky guy and now he is going the other way. I think if marvin lewis just called him and aired out their frustrations, this would all go away. Its almost like Lewis WANTS him to make a fool out of himself so that he can say that that's how Chad acts all the time behind closed doors, which I'm sure is far from the truth. However, I've seen interviews with TJ and Carson Palmer, two of CJ's best friends on the team, and they seem at a loss about whats going on with Chad. So maybe Chad is going off the deep end here a little bit. I guess we'll see how it all plays out.

 

[Banger]

Poor man's TO.

TO never shoved anyone to my knowledge or threatened physical violence.

Good point. I was referring to the team cancer/loud mouth/end zone dance angle but just not as good.

TO in terms of team cancer >>> CJ. This isn't close. CJ's antics are out of love/fun -- TOs are out of hate.TO had a fight in the Eagles locker room, continuously and openly criticizes McNabb and Garcia, and obviously, does much more. What does CJ do thats *really* so bad? You're forgetting about a few years ago if you're seriously comparing the two.

Battling with Lewis, requesting trades, etc. are out of love? The guy is totally self centered and now when things aren't going his way in Cincy his antics have become a distraction to the team and coaching staff just like TO. Look at TO, things are going great and he's the model teammate now. They are birds of a feather.

 

[Tarkin]

Bengals fan here ready for Chad to go. Trade him to Miami and swap first and second round picks. Cincy gets Dorsey and drafts another WR in 3rd/4th round (or gets a FA WR). T.J. + Henry + someone else is better than this crap.

 

[Banger]

Bengals fan here ready for Chad to go. Trade him to Miami and swap first and second round picks. Cincy gets Dorsey and drafts another WR in 3rd/4th round (or gets a FA WR). T.J. + Henry + someone else is better than this crap.

Just curious. Being a Cincy fan and following his situation closer than I, why are you ready for him to go?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Too much cap hit.

We gotta sign people.

Better off if he just retired vs. trading him since it wouldn't cost us the same way.

-QG

 

[Chunky Soup]

Poor man's TO.

TO never shoved anyone to my knowledge or threatened physical violence.

Good point. I was referring to the team cancer/loud mouth/end zone dance angle but just not as good.

TO in terms of team cancer >>> CJ. This isn't close. CJ's antics are out of love/fun -- TOs are out of hate.TO had a fight in the Eagles locker room, continuously and openly criticizes McNabb and Garcia, and obviously, does much more. What does CJ do thats *really* so bad?

You're forgetting about a few years ago if you're seriously comparing the two.

Battling with Lewis, requesting trades, etc. are out of love? The guy is totally self centered and now when things aren't going his way in Cincy his antics have become a distraction to the team and coaching staff just like TO. Look at TO, things are going great and he's the model teammate now. They are birds of a feather.

When did things ever go his way in cincy? He's uber talented, team is crappy. More of the same throughout his career. If he is frustrated, I can't fault him. He's handling it better than most would IMO.Again, comparing him to TO is laughable. What has CJ done? Can you please enlighten me? Did he demand trades and threaten to sit out? Did he call his QB gaaay and/or claim he was throwing up in the SB because he couldn't handle it? did he say his team would be 16-0 if they had Brett Favre? How about throw punches in the locker room?

Who says it's wrong to do what Johnson's doing? Just because he's not Jerry Rice? Apparently disagreeing with a coach is a "knucklehead" player. How did he "battle Lewis" anyway? He didn't do it in such a bad manner, did he? Do you ever disagree with your boss in a job? Ever request to be moved to another part of the company? Johnson has said he'd be happy on other teams -- what has he done wrong here?

 

[3nOut]

I just wish he'd mean it when he said "Show me a great one who doesn't do this and that and I'll shut up". I can think of a few that should hopefully shut him up forever. Without any thought whatsoever Tim Brown and Marvin Harrison come to mind.

Jerry Rice. He whined a few times, but nothing like this guy's antics.

he said "great ones" not "great wide recievers". Why are you limiting this to WRs? Opening this up, I'd start the list with Walter Payton. Chad, it's been nice knowing ya'.

 

[redman]

The comparison here for me is Kobe Bryant circa 6 to 9 months ago. I don't think Johnson goes anywhere because you can't replace him as a practical matter. He's too good.

This too shall pass.

I still think CJ's a tool for handling this the way he is though.

 

[Banger]

Poor man's TO.

TO never shoved anyone to my knowledge or threatened physical violence.

Good point. I was referring to the team cancer/loud mouth/end zone dance angle but just not as good.

TO in terms of team cancer >>> CJ. This isn't close. CJ's antics are out of love/fun -- TOs are out of hate.TO had a fight in the Eagles locker room, continuously and openly criticizes McNabb and Garcia, and obviously, does much more. What does CJ do thats *really* so bad?

You're forgetting about a few years ago if you're seriously comparing the two.

Battling with Lewis, requesting trades, etc. are out of love? The guy is totally self centered and now when things aren't going his way in Cincy his antics have become a distraction to the team and coaching staff just like TO. Look at TO, things are going great and he's the model teammate now. They are birds of a feather.

When did things ever go his way in cincy? He's uber talented, team is crappy. More of the same throughout his career. If he is frustrated, I can't fault him. He's handling it better than most would IMO.Again, comparing him to TO is laughable. What has CJ done? Can you please enlighten me? Did he demand trades and threaten to sit out? Did he call his QB #### and/or claim he was throwing up in the SB because he couldn't handle it? did he say his team would be 16-0 if they had Brett Favre? How about throw punches in the locker room?

Who says it's wrong to do what Johnson's doing? Just because he's not Jerry Rice? Apparently disagreeing with a coach is a "knucklehead" player. How did he "battle Lewis" anyway? He didn't do it in such a bad manner, did he? Do you ever disagree with your boss in a job? Ever request to be moved to another part of the company? Johnson has said he'd be happy on other teams -- what has he done wrong here?

It's obvious that you're a CJ lover (and TO hater) so it may be tough to look objectively at the situation.

 

[Chunky Soup]

It's obvious that you're a CJ lover (and TO hater) so it may be tough to look objectively at the situation.

I'm pretty sure people are overreacting here. That's all.

 

[LILB811]

I was just reading through this again, and trying to understand what actually happened here. Chad has been blasted for being outspoken and frustrated with the Bengals in the media, and I really think that this reporter has a personal agenda with Chad.

The ESPN report from John Clayton about the incident actually sounds logical, and seems more likely is what actually happened. Players at the Pro Bowl are required to do interviews. Since Chad walked off and did not want to talk more about his situation (probably a smart decision), he faces a possible fine. When a league employee tried to stop him, he "brushed him aside".

The FOX reporter sees the league possibly taking action if he continues to assault league employees.

Here's the ESPN report

 

[Banger]

It's obvious that you're a CJ lover (and TO hater) so it may be tough to look objectively at the situation.

I'm pretty sure people are overreacting here. That's all.

Agreed.

 

[Fiddles]

this reporter sounds like an #######

 

[SR388]

I would just like to say you might wanna stop putting Rice's name in the mix of players who were never team disruptions? Granted he never got in real trouble, but I have read that he was a pain to deal with and had/has a massive ego that was an issue in the past.

Sports weren't covered in the 80's and 90's like they are today. I'm not saying Rice is as bad as TO or Chad, he just wasn't the saint most people believe.

And obviously this reporter is stretching it a little.