Bengals receiver Chad Johnson has legally changed his name. Call him Mr. Ocho Cinco now.
The wideout confirmed to Bengals.com that he will be known now as "Chad Javon Ocho Cinco," and he's excited about how he'll be able to sell his new name.
"It's something I don't think anyone has ever done before," Ocho Cinco told the team's website. "Have I ever had a reason for why I do what I do? I'm having fun."
USA TODAY confirmed with the Broward County (Fla.) Clerk of Courts earlier Friday that the man formerly named Chad Johnson officially changed his name yesterday.
"The old name is gone. There was a change," said a court official named Marty who declined to give his last name.
Speculation had been growing that the receiver would make his legal last name "Ocho Cinco," the nickname that corresponds to his jersey number with the Bengals.
The next challenge for Ocho Cinco will be to convince the league to allow him to use his new last name on the back of his jersey. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Bengals.com that the league is looking into the matter, but it may not be a slam dunk.
Ocho Cinco wore a jersey marked with that moniker before a 2006 game, but removed it prior to kickoff after the NFL warned the receiver it would fine him for using it during a game.
Cincinnati spokesman Jack Brennan said the team likely won't make a statement about the matter today.
PFT first reported the name change earlier this month. Ocho Cinco deflected questions about it on Aug. 13, "I don't know anything about a name change," he said. "My name is Chad Johnson."
He told ESPN recently that he had a surprise planned for the start of this season.
"A lot of people look at Chad Johnson and say he's crazy and he does a lot of stuff, but I don't think people really understand how smart I really am. So come Sept. 7, I believe when we play the Baltimore Ravens I think that's the game, there's a surprise for everybody -- for everybody. When I say something, it is what it is, just enjoy it. Because it's going to last 16 weeks, plus some more."
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