Chad Ochocinco Fined $20,000 For Bribe Joke

CINCINNATI — Chad Ochocinco's pretend $1 bribe is going to cost him a lot more. The Cincinnati Bengals receiver was fined $20,000 and reprimanded by the NFL for taking a dollar bill onto the field during an officials' review of one of his catches last Sunday. Ochocinco held the dollar in his right hand at his side but didn't give it to the official, who motioned for him to stay away.

Ochocinco said he was just having fun, but the league didn't like it.

Ray Anderson, the league's executive vice president of football operations, sent Ochocinco a letter that said: "The very appearance of impropriety is not acceptable. Your conduct was unprofessional and unbecoming an NFL player."

The letter cited league rules that prohibit abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures toward officials. The letter also noted that players are prohibited from taking items onto the field that are not part of their uniform. The league has cracked down on players using props for celebrations.

During the third quarter of Cincinnati's 17-7 win over the Baltimore Ravens, officials initially ruled that Ochocinco got both feet down at the sideline for a 15-yard catch. The Ravens challenged, and the call was overturned when replays showed the receiver's toe landed on the white sideline.

While the play was under review, Ochocinco walked toward the officials with the dollar bill.

In response to the fine, the company that made Ochocinco's iPhone application said it will donate an additional $20,000 in the receiver's name to the Hillview Acres home for abused children in Chino, Calif. John Shahidi, the president and CEO of Rock Software, Inc., has assisted the home. Also, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer hosts an annual golf tournament that has raised more than $400,000 for it.

Comments

[tpaige1967]

11:06 AM on 11/19/2009

What an embarrassment to black people this step and fetch routine is played out. What will he do next go the Sami Sosa route. In 10 years no one will remember this asshat. He is no Jerry Rice.

[Peter007]

06:04 PM on 11/14/2009

This guy is there to entertain the fans with his football abilities. When he attempts to be entertaining in something other than football, he should go on a different show. The players on the other team, thinks he is being a clown.

[Schottey]

07:53 AM on 11/14/2009

Think the NFL has been unfair with fines to Ochocinco and others? Read this about how the money is spent.. http://ow.ly/C2qE

[Khai Gordon]

01:10 PM on 11/13/2009

I think Chad is so comical I can't even get mad at him. When he pulled out that $1 bill I almost died laughing. He's hilarious and good for the game.

[t iessa]

10:20 PM on 11/13/2009

Yeah, it's nice to have some fun and see someone with a sense of humor in the NFL. I love Chad.

The fact that Tommie Harris was fined $7500 for punching Lutui while he was on the ground says something about the NFL's priorities.

[magic3400]

05:04 PM on 11/14/2009

They are wearing pads and a helmet designed to protect you when someone is running at you full speed, do you really think a punch is going to do much?

[magic3400]

05:01 PM on 11/14/2009

While I can respect your point of view, I think the NFL got it right. While it may have been funny, it was NOT GOOD for the game. The league can never allow any action to reflect negatively on the game's integrity, even in a joking manner like Chad's little episode.

I don't think anybody got "mad" at him, we all know he's a clown (and I don't mean that in a good way), but that doesn't mean he gets to pretend to BRIBE an official. There was no way the league could do anything but fine him.

This time it was Chad and a dollar, the next time it's T. O. and a $100 bill then, someone will write a $10,000 check and tries to hand that to an official. When does it stop being funny and become an attempt to bribe an official? I can hear it now (Chad used a dollar why am I getting fined for a $100 bill, what's the difference it was a joke).

Just because something is funny (I would call it childish, but to each his own) doesn't mean it's OK. The league is bigger than any 1 player...no matter how much of a clown that player is.