Ocho going to wear 15 (1 Viewer)

[Carter_Can_Fly]

Heard on a sports show last night that Ocho called the league and asked if he could wear 15 for Sunday as a gesture to his good friend who just passed away.... League says no, and Ocho says he will wear it anyway and just pay the fine.

What to make of this?

Is the league being a bit harsh here..... Something similar happened with this when Portis tried to wear Taylor's number when he passed away but I can't remember how it went.

 

[Knobs]

I love this guy.

 

[NeverEnough]

The league is being ridiculous IMO.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Portis wore 21 under his uniform.

 

[CMU37484]

The league is what it is, doesn't surprise me. He'll pay the fine and for once, I'm totally fine with Ocho doing this.

 

[Oh Yes!]

i do remember michael jordan having his jersey stolen and he wore 12 for a game.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

The league is a little ridiculous with what amounts to their zero tolerance policy on these things. Letting him do it doesn't mean everyone is going to wear different numbers all the time - and him getting a laugh from fans and actually enjoying the game he plays with hi sideline stunts don't take anything away from the game on the field. Frankly, it would be nice to see more players enjoy the game as much as he seems to.

I have no problem with him doing this.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

I love this guy.

How could you not like this?

 

[todisco1]

I'm with the league on this. There are plenty of other ways to honor CH.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

I can see it now....

"UnoCinco Scores Dos TDs"

 

[Chaka]

The one good argument in favor of the league stance (I forgot who posted it in the Chris Henry thread but he deserves credit*) is if the league acquiesces to this then what happens the next time a player dies, or a former player, or a college teammate, high school teammate...etc. where does it stop?

ETA: I still hope Ocho does it and I have no problem with it if he does. They were very close.

ETA2: *It was Arch Stanton

 

[Sack-Religious]

If Ochocinco doesn't care about a $30k fine for a poncho and sombrero, I find it highly unlikely that he'll be deterred by any monetary penalty the league will inflict upon him for wearing the jersey of a friend and teamate he was heartbroken to lose.

Just another reason why I love 85.

 

[Desert_Power]

I love this guy.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

The one good argument in favor of the league stance (I forgot who posted it in the Chris Henry thread but he deserves credit) is if the league acquiesces to this then what happens the next time a player dies, or a former player, or a college teammate, high school teammate...etc. where does it stop?ETA: I still hope Ocho does it and I have no problem with it if he does. They were very close.

i agree. this would set a precedent. i support the NFL's position on it.

 

[Futz]

The one good argument in favor of the league stance (I forgot who posted it in the Chris Henry thread but he deserves credit) is if the league acquiesces to this then what happens the next time a player dies, or a former player, or a college teammate, high school teammate...etc. where does it stop?ETA: I still hope Ocho does it and I have no problem with it if he does. They were very close.

The point here is that this is an active NFL player that has passed. It's just one game and the league can market the sincerity of one of it's own honoring a tragic event. It's a win win here.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

The league can make an exemption for this! They need to pick their battles and this is one were you look at it, make the exemption, let someone honor their good friend and teamate in a nice way and move on.... It is a game for goodness sake let him honor his friend in this game.

 

[Chaka]

Another good point from the other thread: If they didn't allow it for Pat Tillman then don't expect it for anyone else.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

This is what happens when the league is run by old white men who haven't had a pulse in 20 years.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Another good point from the other thread: If they didn't allow it for Pat Tillman then don't expect it for anyone else.

again, agree. a bunch of other players died in the offseason and they don't nearly have the star power that Henry or Taylor had. when it comes to death everyone should be treated equally. let Henry be recognized the way others were recognized, with a moment of silence and numbers on the helmets.

 

[todisco1]

The league can make an exemption for this! They need to pick their battles and this is one were you look at it, make the exemption, let someone honor their good friend and teamate in a nice way and move on.... It is a game for goodness sake let him honor his friend in this game.

Disagree. Why is this the only way he can honor CH? It's blatantly against the rules, and next time a player dies what's to stop 20 players form wearing his number. What if every player on the team wore that number? Where does it stop? I like Ocho, just think the league is right on this.

 

[JuniorNB]

I have a feeling that the league wouldn't be so tough about it if Andre Caldwell or Lavereous Coles making the request.

The commish sees this as any sane fan should see it, just another attention grab by Chad Johnson.

 

[jonessed]

If the league told him not to and he isn't worried about the fine then I would suggest they suspend him a game instead.

 

[Godsbrother]

i agree. this would set a precedent. i support the NFL's position on it.

Me too. There are plenty of ways to honor your friend. As usual Chad Ochocinco does it in a way that makes it all about him.

 

[StrikeS2k]

Another good point from the other thread: If they didn't allow it for Pat Tillman then don't expect it for anyone else.

They should have allowed that as well.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Im not sure that Ocho wearing his number is in the best taste right now.

 

[Magnum]

This is what happens when the league is run by old white men who haven't had a pulse in 20 years.

I'm sorry, but what does their skin color have to do with anything? Pulling the race card is for those whom are weak in the mind.

 

[Chaka]

I have a feeling that the league wouldn't be so tough about it if Andre Caldwell or Lavereous Coles making the request.

Yes they would.

The commish sees this as any sane fan should see it, just another attention grab by Chad Johnson.

Not even close.

 

[PosterNutBag]

This is what happens when the league is run by old white men who haven't had a pulse in 20 years.

I'm sorry, but what does their skin color have to do with anything? Pulling the race card is for those whom are weak in the mind.

i agree ... if the league said Yes, then they could be accused of not doing it when Tillman died, but doing if when Henry died pulling the race card here is just plain ignorant

 

[Chaka]

Another good point from the other thread: If they didn't allow it for Pat Tillman then don't expect it for anyone else.

They should have allowed that as well.

Where does it stop? Keep going down this path and you might as well get rid of uniforms entirely.

 

[Mario Kart]

It is great that people would like to honor Henry in their own way. But, why would Chad Johnson get to wear the "15" and not someone else on the Bengals? I am with the league on this.

 

[Chaka]

Another good point from the other thread: If they didn't allow it for Pat Tillman then don't expect it for anyone else.

Jake Plummer wore his number on the back of his helmet past the one week honor time the NFL allowed, and he got fined for it.

He sure did. The fine was probably reduced upon appeal (though the league only releases initial fine amounts and not reductions upon appeal).

 

[gianmarco]

I'm fine with Chad doing this, but seriously, wtf was he thinking calling up the league to ask?

Chad: "Hey, Roger?"

Goodell: "What do you want Mr. Johnson?"

Chad: "It's Mr. Ochocinco. And I had a question"

Goodell: "I'm pretty sure the answer is no."

Chad: "Can I wear a different jersey number this week. It's to honor Chris Henry."

Goodell: "No"

Chad: "Seriously, no dances, no props."

Goodell: "No"

Chad: "How much is the fine gonna be anyway?"

Goodell: "More than the last time you asked me"

Chad: "Thanks, Roger, you're the best. Oh, and I'm going to fight Merriman this week. Is there some kind of discount if I bundle these two together?"

Goodell: "Goodbye, Mr. Johnson. I'll await your check next week."

 

[Sack-Religious]

why would Chad Johnson get to wear the "15" and not someone else on the Bengals?

1) Because he's a WR who is eligible to wear the number 15.2) Because he is the only WR on the Bengals who has played with Henry for the duration of Henry's career.3) Because he and Henry were obviously very close.4) Because he asked.

 

[JuniorNB]

The commish sees this as any sane fan should see it, just another attention grab by Chad Johnson.

Not even close.

Really? Just a coincidence that the guy asking happens to be Johnson, right? What were the odds that it would be him out of 45 players? I'd say 1:1.

 

[Futz]

I'm fine with Chad doing this, but seriously, wtf was he thinking calling up the league to ask?Chad: "Hey, Roger?"Goodell: "What do you want Mr. Johnson?"Chad: "It's Mr. Ochocinco. And I had a question"Goodell: "I'm pretty sure the answer is no."Chad: "Can I wear a different jersey number this week. It's to honor Chris Henry."Goodell: "No"Chad: "Seriously, no dances, no props."Goodell: "No"Chad: "How much is the fine gonna be anyway?"Goodell: "More than the last time you asked me"Chad: "Thanks, Roger, you're the best. Oh, and I'm going to fight Merriman this week. Is there some kind of discount if I bundle these two together?"Goodell: "Goodbye, Mr. Johnson. I'll await your check next week."

Classic

 

[swingerd]

That's it - I'm starting him.

 

[Wreckincrew]

As with anything involving the NFL, money must be involved. The same reason they wouldn't allow Ocho jerseys to be sold until the offseason last year is probably a factor in this. Players changing numbers mid-stream is the same as players changing names, even if it would be for only 1 game.

 

[Sack-Religious]

The commish sees this as any sane fan should see it, just another attention grab by Chad Johnson.

Not even close.

Really? Just a coincidence that the guy asking happens to be Johnson, right? What were the odds that it would be him out of 45 players? I'd say 1:1.

It's totally in line with Ochocinco's MO, but I don't see this as an attention-grab, at all. This is about Ochocinco wearing the jersey of a teamate who will never get to wear his jersey on the field again. This is his way of honouring Chris Henry for one game.Ochocinco wore #15 in practice the day Henry died. That wasn't an attention grab on his part, it was his way of paying tribute to a friend who died. Wearing Henry's jersey on gameday is a continuation of that.

 

[GreenNGold]

If he steps on the field wearing #15 he should be ejected from the game and sent straight to the locker room.

 

[todisco1]

If he steps on the field wearing #15 he should be ejected from the game and sent straight to the locker room.

I think it would be neat if every time he stepped on the field wearing the wrong number they were penalized 10 yards.

 

[Mario Kart]

why would Chad Johnson get to wear the "15" and not someone else on the Bengals?

1) Because he's a WR who is eligible to wear the number 15.2) Because he is the only WR on the Bengals who has played with Henry for the duration of Henry's career.3) Because he and Henry were obviously very close.4) Because he asked.

No one else is eligible to wear the "15"?No other teammate that has played with Henry gets the chance simply due to the length they played with him?No other teammate was "obviously very close" to Henry?No other teammate thought of asking therefore the first to ask is automatically granted permission?

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

The commish sees this as any sane fan should see it, just another attention grab by Chad Johnson.

Not even close.

Really? Just a coincidence that the guy asking happens to be Johnson, right? What were the odds that it would be him out of 45 players? I'd say 1:1.

Johnson was his mentor and a guy that was close with him. I think the league needs to treat each situation on a case by case fileAnyone saying where does it stop is a cop out statementWhy would the not make an exemption for a fallen teamate who passed away in season? If everyone wanted to wear 15 obviously that it is not possible for the game to function. If people wanted to wear there brothers name on their back etc etc treat it as a case by case situation. Wearing your brother's name on your back etc is someting that obviously should not be allowed as he had no affilitation with the team.

 

[Chaka]

The commish sees this as any sane fan should see it, just another attention grab by Chad Johnson.

Not even close.

Really? Just a coincidence that the guy asking happens to be Johnson, right? What were the odds that it would be him out of 45 players? I'd say 1:1.

They have known each other for five years.

 

[Crusaderfan]

I'm not a big fan of Ochocinco but kudos to him for showing that there are some things more important in life than the NFL uniform rules. For once with 85, this is nothing about getting attention and all about honoring a close friend. I've lost a few close friends way too early and if I had the chance to honor them in a way like this - I would absolutely do it. And if the NFL or anybody else had a problem with it - screw em.

 

[Titus Pullo]

If he steps on the field wearing #15 he should be ejected from the game and sent straight to the locker room.

 

[Monk81]

If he steps on the field wearing #15 he should be ejected from the game and sent straight to the locker room.

From an NFL fan perspective I disagree. From the perspective of a guy who is playing against him, I agree wholeheartedly! Eject him!

 

[JuniorNB]

If he steps on the field wearing #15 he should be ejected from the game and sent straight to the locker room.

I think it would be neat if every time he stepped on the field wearing the wrong number they were penalized 10 yards.

The league really has to crack down on players blatantly disregarding rules because the fine doesn't hurt them. Especially when they've been specifically told. It's a big F.U. to the commisioner and the league. The players (or PLAYER) is basically saying, 'you can't tell me what to do, I have no rules'.

 

[JuniorNB]

The commish sees this as any sane fan should see it, just another attention grab by Chad Johnson.

Not even close.

Really? Just a coincidence that the guy asking happens to be Johnson, right? What were the odds that it would be him out of 45 players? I'd say 1:1.

They have known each other for five years.

Wow, really? Five years? Why didn't you just say that? That's huge!

 

[PosterNutBag]

The commish sees this as any sane fan should see it, just another attention grab by Chad Johnson.

Not even close.

Really? Just a coincidence that the guy asking happens to be Johnson, right? What were the odds that it would be him out of 45 players? I'd say 1:1.

Johnson was his mentor and a guy that was close with him. I think the league needs to treat each situation on a case by case fileAnyone saying where does it stop is a cop out statementWhy would the not make an exemption for a fallen teamate who passed away in season? If everyone wanted to wear 15 obviously that it is not possible for the game to function. If people wanted to wear there brothers name on their back etc etc treat it as a case by case situation. Wearing your brother's name on your back etc is someting that obviously should not be allowed as he had no affilitation with the team.

I personally like the league making it's own rules and not being influenced by what others want. Why can't the whole team where a 15 patch or put 15 on the helmet as a team tribute? Why does it have to be Chad getting his exact way? There are so many different ways you can pay tribute to Chris Henry and the league would allow many of them. All he has to do is just choose one that the league would allow and stop complaining.

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

If he steps on the field wearing #15 he should be ejected from the game and sent straight to the locker room.

I think it would be neat if every time he stepped on the field wearing the wrong number they were penalized 10 yards.

The league really has to crack down on players blatantly disregarding rules because the fine doesn't hurt them. Especially when they've been specifically told. It's a big F.U. to the commisioner and the league. The players (or PLAYER) is basically saying, 'you can't tell me what to do, I have no rules'.

Really in this case though it is a little bit extreme would you not agree?I mean why is it such a big deal that a player wants to wear a different eligible number that would have no effect or bearing or outcome on the game?He is not wearing a different color jersey. It is eligible for his position. It really is a nice gesture and treat it that way and grant an exemption. You really thing the league would be flooded with paper work and exemption work from other guys in the league wanting to wear their grandpa's name from Ocho wearing his good friend and teamates jersey number?