The One They Love to Hate

I truly don't understand those who hate on Chad Johnson (Ochocinco). The man is relentlessly jovial and pleasant, especially on Twitter. He interacts with his 3.5 million followers everyday, playfully bantering with fans and haters all the same. No topic is off-limits; no person, sport, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender is any less deserving of love and respect than the next. Which makes the desire of so many to throw shade his way even more confounding.

If anything, it's likely the media-driven image of him as a prima donna athlete that has led to the negative perception in some people's minds. Some fans tend to get swept up in his elaborate touchdown displays and (honestly innocent) smack talk with opposing players. His detractors claim that he's a selfish player; the reality couldn't be further from the truth. If you've watched or read his interviews, particularly those during his final months in Cincinnati, you've seen a team player who has only ever wanted what's best for the organization, and to contribute as best he can. While many looked at his diminished output in New England last season as a knock against him as a player, they were overlooking the greatness it spoke of him as a teammate. He exhibited none of the "diva" personality that his haters like to pretend he has, as he joyfully cheered on his teammates and pitched in whenever called upon.

Need any further proof that Mr. Johnson has gotten a bad rap? How about this: This afternoon a random follower tweeted him to say that she was feeling depressed over the recent death of her beloved husband. What Chad did next was simply amazing.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is Chad Johnson offering an all-expenses-paid trip to his wedding to a woman he doesn't know, simply because he could see pain in her and wanted to do something to help alleviate it. Incredible.

Those who hate don't take the time to learn and understand. Keep doing your thing, good sir.

Tail Report: Evelyn Lozada

Somehow, we never managed to properly cover the announcement that Mr. Ochocinco (soon to be Mr. Johnson again) had gotten engaged to Antoine Walker's ex. So, allow me to say the following...

If that last picture caught you by surprise, then you must've missed the news like I did: Naked pictures that Evelyn sexted to an ex (not Walker) have been leaked onto the internet. To see the full uncensored gallery of them at The YBF, click here.

Respect My Gangsta: Chad Ochocinco

Or was it? According to the NFL star wideout, a "hacker" sent the following tweet from his account this afternoon. It's kind of sad that in this day and age someone would have to back away from making this kind of statement. I, for one, would prefer it if the media was allowed to take as much of the criticism as they give.

The League is Back

And so is Taco (Jonathan Lajoie), with a little assistance from Ocho Cinco.

Crooked Straight has been Punk'd by Ochocinco

Ooooh, I feel silly. You are a SLY one, Mr. Crazy-nonsensical-surname guy. I can't believe we actually thought YOU would get tattoos on your face—it’s not like you’ve EVER done anything questionable before.

From Shutdown Corner:

Update: So, it turns out Chad isn't in the Tyson/Starbury league quite yet. The tattoos were fake. From his suddenly-hot Twitter page:

The entire twitt world and media outlets got punked, that was my twitt joke from yesterday, they follow I'll have fun with it.

My grandma would kill me if I had damn facial tatts!!! Fun while it lasted, back to normal, I felt different to.

Alright, you got us, Ochocinco. That was pretty good. I always say that April Fool's Day is for suckers and that people should pull pranks on other, random days if they really want to trick people. Chad accomplished just that.

Although, I've gotta say, it doesn't bode well for Ochocinco's public image that nobody batted an eyelid when he said he got three tatts on his face. My BS detector would have been beeping like crazy had any other NFL player said he was getting the outline of Florida imprinted onto on his left cheek. With Ochocinco, it just seemed like the next logical step.

Ocho Cinco has Officially Lost It

Face tattoos? Really? How long before he's onstage with Joaquin Phoenix?

From Shutdown Corner:

Following in the footsteps of renowned role models Mike Tyson and Stephon Marbury, the former Chad Johnson(notes) has gone and gotten himself a face tattoo. The transformation from amusing narcissist to attention-craving crackpot is now complete.

Ochocinco announced the new facial ink on Twitter and had the courtesy to post pictures of his three-part facial masterpiece.

You know, there was a time recently when I thought my Raiders should have made a play for the former Mr. Johnson in the offseason. Now I'm thinking there might be a tad bit of method to Al Davis' madness.

Ocho Cinco: Official

Story

Thanks KK.

"I'm upset because they're upset"

This is a near classic interview by Chad Johnson, who states that the reason he's upset is because his fans are upset, even if the reason they are upset is because he's upset. It's very deep and touching.