Chad Ochocinco claps back at Bengals fan complaining about legendary WR’s comments on AFC North franchise
Ex-Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco issued a short retort to a fan who charged him for allegedly disrespecting the franchise that gave him his start in the NFL.
The interaction came after a fan reposted a video clip of Ochocinco's March 4 comments about Tee Higgins' franchise tag situation. The fan accused the former receiver of betraying the organization.
"I think @ochocinco owes the Organization that made you who you are, a NATIONAL apology!" the fan said. "You didn't BELIEVE in Our #Bengals and went on National TV and disrespected them! And you let @ShannonSharpe disrespect them OVER & OVER again. Where is your 'RESPECT' for Our Bengals?"
Ochocinco reposted the post and merely questioned:
"They made me who i am?"
In the previous Ochocinco's statements from March 4 during ESPN's First Take he described the Bengals' choosing to franchise tag Higgins for a second straight year as "disrespectful." During that time, Ochocinco likened the scenario to being "friend-zoned," as he said:
"At some point, some time, it's allowing the Bengals to buy themselves some time to work out a deal, but if you wanted to work out a deal you would've done it a long time ago."
Chad Ochocinco basks in the glow of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins contract extensions
While appearing on "Night Cap" with Shannon Sharpe on Monday, Chad Ochocinco voiced real enthusiasm with Cincinnati locking down its best-receiving pair.
"Congratulations brother Ja'Marr Chase, brother Tee Higgins," Ochocinco said. "They got that deal done. I know Joe is happy, very happy to keep that unit together. I didn't think it would be possible. But the fact that Joe was able to keep the two main guys together, man, is really a good thing, and that's a step in the right direction for us."
Chase signed a four-year, $161 million contract that guarantees $112 million, an NFL record for the highest average annual salary ($40.25 million) for a non-quarterback. Higgins signed a four-year, $115 million contract with the first two years guaranteed, ESPN reported.
The successful talks resolved considerable drama between the team and the players. Higgins asked for a trade after being tagged with the franchise in 2024, while Chase held out in training camp before concluding his standoff before the regular season.