Just when everyone thought it was over with the legal name change with Chad Ocho Cinco, the NFL threw a last-minute monkey wrench into his plans.
According to a press release by the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL informed Ocho Cinco earlier Sunday that he will have to wear his original name on the back of his jersey. Ocho Cinco stepped on the field Sunday with the nameplate "C. Johnson."
The receiver had a legal name change in the state of Florida this summer so he could wear his former nickname of "Ocho Cinco" this season. Although the NFL recognized the name change, the release says "certain issues remain [with the NFL] to be resolved before Ocho Cinco will be permitted to wear his new surname on his jersey.'"
"He will wear the name Johnson on his jersey today and will be referred to as Chad Johnson on the official play-by-play sheet," the statement said. "Further questions should be directed to the league office."
Contacted Sunday by The Associated Press, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said, "He has a financial obligation to Reebok, which produces the jerseys available to fans. That has to be resolved before the on-field jersey can be changed.
"The same obligation exists for any player that changes his number or name."
James Walker covers the AFC North for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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