Chad Ochocinco puts on a low-key show at Super Bowl media day
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What has happened to Chad Ochocinco? After 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals filled with crazy antics but no postseason success, he finally makes it to the Super Bowl. And on his first media day as a player he does ... pretty much nothing.
The veteran wide receiver spoke in low, sometimes barely audible tones as he addressed reporters from an open spot on the field between podiums set up for Aaron Hernandez and Matthew Slater.
That’s right -- Chad Ochocinco didn’t even get his own podium. The whole scene was a reflection of the year that he had with the Patriots, falling into the background behind star receiver Wes Welker and emerging tight ends Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.
‘I took this as a challenge, as a lesson,’ Ochocinco said of his role with the Patriots. ‘I think it was a test from you-know-who upstairs. Will he be able to handle himself the right way in different circumstances when he’s not that guy, the main focal point? I think I did extremely well regardless of what everyone might say.’
The 11-year veteran caught 15 passes for 276 yards, both career lows, and just one touchdown reception, his lowest output since his rookie season in Cincinnati back in 2001. He also kept a surprisingly low profile with the media.
“I would have so much more to say if ...†Ochocinco started saying at one point before his voice trailed off without finishing the thought.
So no publicity stunts from the man who once did the Riverdance in the end zone and attended last year’s media day as a reporter for his own network. Unless ... maybe this was the publicity stunt. After all, he does seem to be getting quite a bit of attention for doing nothing to grab our attention.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all from Ochocinco, he pulls something like this. The man is a publicity genius!
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-- Chuck Schilken
