Sunday, April 3, 2011

85

Chad Ochocinco always brings a smile. The number man is taking a stab at professional soccer while his day job is spending time in the courts. Reporters, often lacking in smarts, ask him if it's all just a publicity stunt, and it makes him laugh. Publicity? From soccer? In America? "People don't get me at all, man," he says. They really don't. He's just having fun, no matter the sport. Ochocinco may be a pretty good soccer player, but he is still an elite football player. Possibly moving into the twilight of his career, he can still strike fear in  NFL cornerbacks. A few years ago, he ranked with Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt as the finest receivers in the league. As great as he was catching passes, he may have had a greater presence outside the lines and in the end zone. He brought a personality and energy to the game. Typically, I cringe at acts like his, but there has always been something fun and genuine about Ochocinco's act. Does anybody, on and off the field, try harder? NFL Unplugged author Anthony Gargano said, "He successfully taught most of middle America how to say eight and five in Spanish". Few players can claim similar accomplishments. Ochocinco plays football like we all did when we were young. It's a game, and he's enjoying it. He helps others enjoy it too.

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