Chad Ochocinco has been released by the New England Patriots, as was first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN and then Albert Breer of NFL.com. The Patriots later confirmed the reports.
Not long after the initial reports, Ochocinco tweeted a farewell to the franchise and its fans. The social media star used some NSFW language in that tweet, crediting Patriots fans for being "f#$king wicked awesome."
CLICK HERE to see tweet.
Ochocinco's status was so tenuous on Thursday that the Twitter account for the team's official website (but not the team's official account) even speculated on his future with the team.
Schefter previously tweeted that the 34-year-old wide receiver had a legitimate reason for departing from the team facilities before an OTA, a move that sparked rumors.
After Ochocinco left practice, seemingly sparking many of the rumors that he was off the team, the Boston Herald was told by a team source that he was still "on the Patriots." According to ProFootballTalk, Ochocinco removed his association with the Patriots from his Twitter page only to put it back in place.
At the time of his farewell tweet, Ochocinco's profile described him as an UNEMPLOYED BLACK GUY.
What's next for Ochocinco? Will he join Terrell Owens on the sidelines or will another team take a chance on him?
During his one season with New England, the six-time Pro Bowl receiver recorded a career-low 15 catches. Before joining the Patriots, Ochocinco had starred in Cincinnati for 10 seasons.