Ocho Cinco Ocho Cinco

by Chad Johnson, Chad Ochocinco, Jason Cole

"The moment I walked out of that tunnel that first time I was in the NFL and saw that 70,000 people, I said, "This is me, this is mine, this is what I was meant to do." Some people get scared that first time. Me? Scared my ass. I was loving it." NFL superstar Chad Ochocinco is one of the most feared weapons in football, having amassed six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and made it to five straight Pro Bowls. And he does things his way-always big, always fun, always outrageous. Take Ochocinco's extravagant touchdown performing the Riverdance jig, mock-proposing to a cheerleader, tossing presents into the crowd on Christmas Eve, performing CPR on the football, putting on a gold sport coat that says "Future Hall of Famer." Or his sense of the blond Mohawk, the gold teeth, the nude photo shoot for a sports magazine. Or his "People tell me I have to tone it down. Man, do you know what I've been through to get here? You're going to tell me to stop having fun? Sorry, it’s not happening." Or his unabashed "I got six paintings of myself in the living room of my town house in Cincinnati. Why? Because I love me. I'm great and I know it." In "Ocho Cinco," Chad offers his blunt take on his life and career and on the bizarre game-and business-of football. He takes us back to his days growing up in a poor, dangerous section of Miami, where he was raised by his stern "You want to know how I turned out like this? Don't talk to me, talk to my grandmom." A high school quarterback, he went to two junior colleges before landing for a single year at Oregon State. From there he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, a team he eventually helped lead to the playoffs for the first time in fifteen years. Ochocinco reveals what really goes on in the locker room, on the field, and in the clubs where so many of his fellow athletes get in trouble. He talks about fights with teammates, coaches, and owners. He offers his honest observations on drugs, cheating, and "You get all this money and you get all these women at your disposal. . . . You're going to do your thing, trust me. You’re going to do it." And he deals frankly with his reputation as a malcontent and drama "People want to be entertained, but the minute you open up about it and have some fun, they bash you for it. They want you to play inside this little box, and if you ever dare step outside this little box you're in trouble. Well, there is no box for me. I am completely out of the box.""Ocho Cinco" gives fans a rare inside look at pro football, presented by a singular athlete who's not afraid to speak his "What I do may be funny, but nothing I do is a joke." "From the Hardcover edition."

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Collin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was the best book that I have ever read. It changed me inside. I now have a deferent opinions on Chad Johnson. There is more to him that meets the eye.

[Zaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody made fun of Ocho Cinco for so many years. But he was the best. The best player the Cincinnati Bengals franchise had every seen. And he believed in our team. For years. Despite multiple years of sadness, he knew the team could go far and sure enough, they did. They reached the Superbowl last year, and this year, they almost reached the Superbowl again. In both scenarios, the Cincinnati Bengals lost due to referees who were paid off, who cheated. If it had been a fair fight, the Bengals would have won last year's Superbowl and this year's. It's true that in Vegas, "the house always wins" but next year, 2023-2024, third time is the charm, and the Bengals will be back stronger than ever. #NFLRigged was trended throughout the nation, and everybody knows what the "NFL Script" did. Fuck y'all. Glory to Ocho Cinco, Glory to the Bengals. WHO DEY FOREVER.

[Bryan Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t hold my attention. Which is a shame because as a player, he was so entertaining.

[Jeremy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in middle school and I thought it was great. His humanity would be something that the NFL wouldn’t allow to be created now. A shame because he was true expression and passion. An inspiration to the way I look at life

[Elliot Astor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chad Ochocinco’s biography taught me many things about life and how to become successful. In the first part of the book, Chad talks about his life when he was younger and how he escaped the life he could have easily lived in. Chad didn’t take the path of a drug dealer or criminal that his friends did. It was easier for him to become one of those things, but he said how his grandmother would never let that happen. He never burned bridges and never did anything to get himself into trouble. People may see him as an arrogant guy, but Chad explains that if you want to be the best, you have to think you’re the best. The perception of Chad Ochocinco is overall pretty bad throughout the nation. This book is good for people who are football fans, but also people who maybe want some clarification on a guy like Chad, or people who are having a hard time where they grow up and need some advice on a way out.

[Eric Barber]

Since I have been on a bit of a non-fiction kick lately, thought I might give Chad's book a chance. It is a decent read, IF, you are a football fan and want to get some inside thoughts about what goes on in the locker rooms or during congtract negotiations, but I think someone who is not a die hard sports fan would not enjoy a lot of this book. He does have some very good stories and he does share the story of how he grew and became a successful person rather than just fooling around all the time and being non-committal. The last chapter where he talks about the Chad universe or planet or something equally self-indulgent was pretty funny, he's quite out there and I had a laugh about it.



However, the book is very convoluted at times and jumps all over the place. He is not a brain surgeon so I suppose it is understandable.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like Chad John...I mean, Chad Ochocinco. He is outspoken. He is defintely entertaining, but this book isn't really all that entertaining and ULTRA repetitive. Here is what I learned:

1) He doesn't drink.
2) He doesn't do drugs.
3) No one can cover him.

Those items are repeated ad nauseum, as well as quotes from a handful of people talking about how great he is. For every good message he gives to kids, he also says possessions are so important to him that he would sell drugs to get them?!? That's not something I want my kids reading, honest or not.

The last chapter, "Planet Chad", sounds like it was written by a 4-year old. It's sheer lunacy. Child please, indeed.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was only okay, largely because he tends to repeat himself. He makes the same points multiple times in different chapters, which gets a little tedious, especially for a book that isn't that long in the first place. Also, it came out after the 2008 season, which sucked. Since they returned to a successful form this past season, he might be in a different mental place toward his team and his game. On the plus side, he is willing to admit mistakes he feels he's made in life. Also included are statements from current and former coaches, opponents, and family members - statements that aren't bad but also not 100% complimentary. This gives a more complete view of his character and shows a level of maturity that belies some of that "Ochocinco" character.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It won't surprise you to know that this book is painfully inessential. It's written in a pretty close approximation of Chad "Ochocinco" Ochocinco's speaking style, and that makes it pretty repetitive and therefore probably 50% longer than it needed to be. That being said, it did bring me around a little more to his point of view--how can you really condemn a guy as a troublemaker when he doesn't smoke, drink, do drugs or get arrested? The thesis of the book is basically "Chad is a ridiculous manchild who likes to play football, have fun, and make money." And really, what's so wrong with that?

[Juls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say what you will about Chad OchoCinco Johnson, he is a helluva football player and entertainer. Reading this book enlightened me to the fact that he is very dedicated to being the best at everything he does. Very outspoken both on and off the field, I like his attitude even though many don't.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure junk food as far as literature is concerned, but still a highly entertaining, and occasionally insightful account, which sheds light on a variety of dynamics of between players and coaches of different teams.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that must have been transcribed from stream of conscious ramblings, this shit basically rules.

[Ellen]

Yes, really.

[Terry Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

reasonably entertaining. Probably better and more productive things to do with your time.

[Pete Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Damn, I love me some Ocho, but this was borderline painful to read.