Chad Ochocinco Calls Roger Goodell 'Dad' In Letter Supporting NFL Commissioner

New England Patriots' wide receiver Chad Ochocinco stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Chad Ochocinco wants Roger Goodell to know that he has the NFL commissioner's back.

The outspoken New England Patriots wide receiver posted a letter of support for Goodell on Friday as the issue of football safety has increased in the wake of Junior Seau's suicide.

Ochocinco begins with, "Dear Dad," in the note on his site, OCNNReport.com, and tells Goodell he wanted to reach out to him because it has been "the worst week ever" with "players dying, players suing and on top of that my peers are just going off on you in the media."

Goodell and the NFL have been criticized for their handling of concussions, despite a recent focus on head injuries. Thousands of former players have also sued the league and claimed it didn't properly protect its players from concussions.

The issue of player safety has again become a hot topic after Seau was found last week with a gunshot to the chest at his home in Oceanside, Calif.

Ochocinco, who also tweeted a link to the open letter, said that because "no one is showing any support, I figured I would be the first."

He said he and Goodell have a "father-son relationship" – undoubtedly a result of the numerous times Ochocinco has spent talking to the commissioner for illegal touchdown celebrations throughout his playing career.

Ochocinco suggested to Goodell that the NFL might be hurting itself by the way it markets the game.

"Y'all do a darn near perfect job at portraying this game as one played by heroes," Ochocinco wrote. "But let's be real dad. This is a nasty, dirty and violent game with consequences. Sign up or go get a regular job. Watch it or turn off the TV and go fishing with your kids. It is really that simple.

"I know there are probably legal and financial implications that prevent this blunt depiction, but am not sure if you have a choice. If you don't say it now, the mounting evidence being revealed publicly will say it for you very soon."

Again showing his support, he adds: "I love you and if anyone can lead us out of this mess, it will be you."

Ochocinco closes by telling Goodell he plans to have lots of end-zone celebrations after catching a career-low 15 passes for the Patriots last season.

"Can my fine money go to supporting ex-players suffering?" Ochocinco asked. "Sincerely, Chad."

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Comments

[LeeLoPink]

02:36 PM on 05/15/2012

Will Ocho stay in New England this year, or what? I can't wait for football season!

[doctorj2u]

11:23 AM on 05/13/2012

Tongue firmly in cheek. LOL!

[Iain Banks]

10:09 AM on 05/13/2012

Chad is a lot smarter than people give him credit for. I hope he finds his way up to the top of the league and eventually removes the slave auctioneer Goddell from the top office.

[Rubyredman]

03:26 PM on 05/13/2012

agree 100%. F&F

[Iain Banks]

10:41 PM on 05/13/2012

thx ruby!

[Hugatreetoday]

12:05 PM on 05/14/2012

Then why is he marrying THAT...woman?

Btw, I am a Pats fan.

[Nonamnesiac]

07:48 AM on 05/13/2012

Roger Goodell, the whole leadership of the New Orleans Saints and any other team that countenanced intentional hits and all players who participated in intentional hits should be indicted for assault and battery, conspiracy to intentionally cause bodily harm and prosecuted for their actions. The teams should be sued civilly by all who were injured by such hits. Intentional maimings are still criminal actions, even when an athlete assumes the liability of severe injury in a highly physical sport. Suspending these vermin for one year or less simply countenances such activity and therefore Goodell is part of the conspiracy.

Additionally, Goodell and all players, coached and executives from teams involved in the intentional hits should be barred from the NFL for life. The argument that one year suspension is too long is ridiculous.

And such light treatment of the criminals who initiated and carried out or attempted intentional, crippling hits is in itself proof the NFL would rather have football players suffer concussions then take the steps to fix the problem. They believe the sport is not as appealing if people aren't regularly crippled. The number of former players speaking out on concussions speaks for itself. Only the NFL can get away with this kind of behavior.

[doctorj2u]

11:18 AM on 05/13/2012

Show me proof of the "assaults" on the field by the New Orleans Saints. It did not happen. But lets crucify a team without evidence. Show us the evidence, Goodell!

[ruolivert]

01:01 PM on 05/13/2012

The funniest part of your tirade is that you honestly believe that NFL players are thinking about sometign other then their assignments once the ball is hiked. Have you ever played footbal before? Once the play starts, especially as a defensive player, your reacting. You're not thinking about bounties, or trying to injure someone, or what the other team said to you during the week leading up.

[MelanieMorgasm]

07:06 AM on 05/13/2012

more like masta-slave. ocho needs to get his head out of the sand and realize the man is takin advantage of him

[Mitch Johnesee]

02:08 PM on 05/13/2012

Poor, poor, Chad, multi-millionaire for playing a game that men do for fun. Just read a story about a semi-pro player who died on the field last weekend... his community will assist his family because the league cannot afford to give him anything.

So let's all cry for Chad friggin' Inolongercarewhathislastnameis.

[Rubyredman]

03:27 PM on 05/13/2012

You may have missed the sarcasm in the letter.

[Ty LaRue]

04:04 AM on 05/13/2012

I can't rather to another man as Dad or Daddy
even in a joking manner
Hell I refuse to use Sean Combs stage names
I don't know but maybe it is just me.

[charlesa1946]

01:38 PM on 05/13/2012

very honest, heart felt, comment. thank you.
it is always , maybe it is just me, for all of us.
be well.

[Ty LaRue]

02:11 PM on 05/13/2012

I meant refer not rather (RED RED WINE!!!!!!)

[Leilani lei]

03:03 AM on 05/13/2012

I read that he's marrying a goldigger.

[Hugatreetoday]

12:08 PM on 05/14/2012

She's also absolutely classless.

[Mister President]

11:32 PM on 05/12/2012

Ochocinco just isn't NFL news anymore. Hasn't been for a few years now.

[johnthorpe]

12:35 AM on 05/13/2012

And you're who, now?

[Mister President]

11:07 AM on 05/13/2012

I'm Calvin Johnson. Just taking a break from my off season conditioning.

[christiana]

12:37 AM on 05/13/2012

Marked as favorite, mostly because of the Scientology reference.