page_title: Chad Johnson
section_title: 2008 season
hierarchical_section_title: Chad Johnson / Professional career / Cincinnati Bengals / 2008 season
caption_attribution_description: English: Photograph of en:Chad Ocho Cinco during warm-ups before the opening game versus the Ravens on 9/10/07. Taken by myself from the stands.
context_page_description: Chad Javon Johnson, known from 2008 to 2012 as Chad Ochocinco, is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football for Santa Monica College and Oregon State University, and played 11 seasons in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, and the Miami Dolphins. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft, and played for the Bengals for 10 seasons. In 2011, Johnson was traded to the New England Patriots, for whom he played in Super Bowl XLVI. In 2012, Johnson played for the Miami Dolphins during preseason but was released following his arrest for domestic violence. He played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League from 2014 to 2015, and played one game in 2017 for Mexican team Monterrey Fundidores of the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional. Johnson emerged as one of the NFL's most productive wide receivers of the 2000s and owns nearly every Bengals receiving record.
  In April 2011, CNBC listed Johnson as number 1 on its list of "Most Influential Athletes In Social Media."
context_section_description: On January 13, 2008, Johnson was a guest on ESPN's Mike & Mike radio show. During the interview, he addressed how the media and team treated him during the 2007 season, saying, "I was labeled selfish and a cancer, and it hurt...Fingers were pointed at me this year. If the team and the organization wants to further itself (make the playoffs), I think you need to get rid of the problem...It hurt me. To do me that way and not to have my back. Things were said, and nobody came to my defense." However, head coach Marvin Lewis commented on the issue by saying that the Bengals would not be trading Johnson. "He is a Cincinnati Bengal for quite a while," Lewis said.
  On February 4, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Johnson felt betrayed by Lewis and was privately threatening to sit out the 2008 season, though his agent Drew Rosenhaus denied it. When asked about trade rumors, Johnson said "Call me, Dan," referring to Redskins' owner Daniel Snyder, On April 22, the Cincinnati Bengals' declined a Washington Redskins' trade for Johnson involving a first round 2008 selection and a 2009 selection. and on NFL Network's NFL Total Access, Johnson said he did not want a pay raise from the Bengals, but desired a "change of scenery". Lewis stated he had not spoken to Johnson since the last regular season game, and reiterated his lack of interest in a trade. After several weeks of silence, in April, Johnson again announced he wanted to be traded, and caused a rift with teammates by refusing to attend off-season workout programs and practices. Nine days before the opening of the Bengals' mandatory minicamp on June 12, Johnson told ESPN The Magazine that "of course I (will be)" attending, confirmed by his agent. After ankle surgery on June 18, Johnson returned to full practice in August. He suffered a partially torn labrum in the first preseason game on August 17, but decided to play the entire season with the injury.
  On August 29, Johnson legally changed his last name to Ochocinco.
  The Bengals began the season 0-8, with Carson Palmer forced out for the season with an injury incurred early in the campaign and Johnson experiencing his worst statistical season of his career to date. Johnson totaled 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the first four games of the season, unable to gain more than 37 yards' receiving in any of the contests. Following a dismal performance (three receptions for 43 yards) against the Dallas Cowboys in a loss, Johnson had consecutive games with 50-yard receiving totals (57 against the New York Giants & 52 against the Pittsburgh Steelers). Johnson then had 44 yards on five receptions in a loss to the Houston Texans.
  However, the Bengals won their first game of the season, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in week 9 by a score of 21-19. In that game, Johnson had five receptions for 37 yards and two touchdowns. The two scores marked the first multi-touchdown game of the season for Johnson.
  Johnson finished the season with 53 catches for 540 yards and four touchdowns — his worst statistical season since his rookie campaign.
caption: Chad Johnson in 2007.
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