Chad Johnson Tells Fans to Bring Donations To Cover Fine

[Joe]

What an idiot

CINCINNATI -- Chad Johnson says he's ready to celebrate a touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.

His coach sounds like he's ready to throttle him.

The Cincinnati Bengals' chatty receiver asked fans on Wednesday to bring donations to cover the fine he'll receive for a planned touchdown celebration against the Steelers.

"I need all fans to bring a dollar to the gate," Johnson said. "Don't forget. There will be a bucket. Bring a dollar to the gate this week. Next week, I need everybody to bring a bottle of Pepto."

That's the last thing that coach Marvin Lewis wanted to hear heading into a make-or-break game. Informed of the receiver's latest whimsy, he sat in silent surprise for a few seconds.

"It's not a wise thing," Lewis finally said, with annoyance in his eyes and disappointment in his tone. "It's not his fine that's as significant as if we get a penalty."

Or, a pumped-up opponent.

The Pro Bowl receiver has repeatedly angered Lewis by guaranteeing wins and tweaking opponents leading up to games. His most famous outburst -- guaranteeing a win over previously unbeaten Kansas City last season -- drew attention and divided the locker room. Several veterans told him it isn't wise to rile up the opposition.

Despite a promise to change this season, Johnson has found it tough to keep quiet.

He sent bottles of Pepto-Bismol to Cleveland defensive backs before their game on Oct. 17, along with handwritten notes saying they'd get sick trying to cover him. Johnson had the worst game of his career and the Bengals lost 34-17 to an inspired team that clearly took offense.

Lewis took him aside afterward, and Baltimore's Ray Lewis called Johnson with some advice: Keep your mouth shut and play.

With a pivotal game at hand, he's at it again.

A 17-10 victory over Washington improved the Bengals to 4-5 heading into their rematch with the Steelers (8-1). A victory would leave Cincinnati with three consecutive wins, a little momentum and an outside chance to make the playoffs. But the closing schedule is daunting.

Unprovoked, Johnson said the capacity crowd at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday can expect a show.

"That means I've got a special celebration when I hit the end zone," Johnson said. "Bring a dollar to the gate for my fine."

Johnson was fined for three touchdown celebrations last season: $5,000 for a photo pose with teammate Peter Warrick in the end zone, $5,000 for a throat-slash gesture to the crowd, and $10,000 for holding up a preprinted sign that read: "Dear NFL: Please don't fine me again."

Before this season started, Johnson promised a new touchdown celebration, one that wouldn't draw a 15-yard penalty under the NFL's stricter rules. He has yet to unveil it -- he's had only two touchdown catches all season.

His first came while the Bengals trailed in the opener against the Jets, the wrong time to use it. The other catch came in a Monday night victory over Denver, but Johnson had been warned by the Bengals not to do anything to call attention to himself on national television.

"I was told not to celebrate before the game started," he said then.

Johnson gave Pittsburgh's defense unusually glowing praise on Wednesday before getting around to his end zone plans.

"This defense is a little different from everybody that we've played," Johnson said. "Watching them on film, it's unbelievable. It's sort of unfair what they have out there on the defense. Seriously. Just looking at the names, the personnel you have to go against, there's no weak link where you can attack."

His celebration comment made sure there would be no letdown, either.

[Easy Mac]

I think they should bring pepto bismol so they don't get sick watching their team get beat up by steelers.

[cartman]

I think the most important thing is, what does our Shorty have to say about all of this?

[TLK]

at least he's not charging into the stands and assulting fans.....

[Easy Mac]

well.. maybe the donation is his jail bail for when he finds Pitt fans and beats them up after a TD.

[Dutch]

It's dumb, but harmless fun if you ask me, I'd be pissed if I were a Bengals fan, but to me, I love it.

I like a little personality. The Steelers can get as mad as they want, but everybody's still got to play the game.

[Francis_Cole]

So what did he do now he's scored? :D

[Chief Rum]

Yeah, I would like to know, too. :)

You know, a lot of this stuff isn't much different from what Terrell Ownes was doing with the SHarpie incident, for instance. And yet, that pissed me off, and this guy cracks me up (the Pepto one and this, classic). Wuzzup widdat?

CR

[Desnudo]

I think he's funny. It's too bad there isn't more players who like to have fun versus basking in their own self-importance.

[cthomer5000]

I also find Chad Johnson quite funny. He's hilarious on camera, and he's come up some innovative hot-dogging over the last few years.

[stevew]

Chad Johnson should have taken a page out of Hines Ward's book. Do the dance, then score another td, and Do the dance again. And then MAKE SURE YOUR TEAM IS VICTORIOUS. 1 measly td vs a shitty steelers secondary is pisspoor.

[cthomer5000]

yeah, we kind of got the point steve.

[stevew]

yeah, i realized the redunancy

[korme]

I think the most important thing is, what does our Shorty have to say about all of this?
Chad is awesome, Palmer still fucking sucks. Good?

[Suicane75]

Yeah, I would like to know, too. :)

You know, a lot of this stuff isn't much different from what Terrell Ownes was doing with the SHarpie incident, for instance. And yet, that pissed me off, and this guy cracks me up (the Pepto one and this, classic). Wuzzup widdat?

CR


Terrell is a winner and Chad Johnson is always on a suckass team?

[Chief Rum]

Terrell is a winner and Chad Johnson is always on a suckass team?

No, that doesn't play into it (and TO has played on some bad Niners teams, too, you know). Also, I am not as devoted to my teams (Rams, Cowboys) as others for various reasons. But those two teams do give me reasons--I hate the Niners (from both teams), and I still replay in my mind the joy of seeing Teague pop that jackass on the star.

But in retrospect, I think the Sharpie incident was pretty damn funny. Most of the other stuff he does is frickin' stupid, though (and not funny-stupid like Chad Johnson).

CR

[Kodos]

Chad Johnson is a jackass. More focus on winning, less focus on trying to get attention. Thanks!

[korme]

he tries harder than any player on the team, i mean he gets so pissed if he drops a ball or has anything go wrong.. that man lives football

[Desnudo]

Chad Johnson is a jackass. More focus on winning, less focus on trying to get attention. Thanks!

He plays for the Bengals, getting attention is all he'll ever have.

[DeToxRox]

He plays for the Bengals, getting attention is all he'll ever have.

count it.

[korme]

Right now on ESPN, NFL Films showing the clip of CJ telling Marvin "Secret.. I wanna be the greatest receiver of all time. Marvin.. "That's no reason to be a secret." CJ.. "Y'all got to help me!"

The man sleeps in the Bengals' training facility a few times a week, on a couch, because he wants to be in the mode and ready.

Say what you want, he's damn inspiring.

[Bomber]

You forgot to mention the part about being better than Rice in that quote.

[korme]

How he wants to be? Why not.. Rice was his idol. Last year after the Bengals and Raiders played, he had asked Rice to meet him after the game just so he could talk to the man he looks up to the most, and Rice never showed up after agreeing to.

[Blackadar]

"Chad Johnson Tells Fans to Bring Donations To Cover Fine"

more like...

"Bengals Fans Bring Towels to Cry in After Loss"

[Butter]

Wow, ripping the Bengals for being losers. I need to go look for the thread about Hitler being evil or something too. Or maybe someone has warned us elsewhere on here about the evils of sticking your hand down the garbage disposal.

[Blackadar]

Wow, ripping the Bengals for being losers. I need to go look for the thread about Hitler being evil or something too. Or maybe someone has warned us elsewhere on here about the evils of sticking your hand down the garbage disposal.

If they're going to talk the talk, they better learn to walk the walk. Until they do, they should shut up and play.

[Butter]

If they're going to talk the talk, they better learn to walk the walk. Until they do, they should shut up and play.

I didn't know Chad Johnson could be referred to as "they".

[Blackadar]

I didn't know Chad Johnson could be referred to as "they".

He's part of "they". Hey, look, the Bengals played a good game and I think Marvin Lewis is a helluva coach. This could be a very good team in a year or two if Palmer pans out. Johnson may be the one yapping, but it's the whole Bengals team that will be laughed at.

[Butter]

As far as I know, none of the other Bengals ever talk like Chad Johnson does. You say "if they're going to talk the talk, they better walk the walk." Fine, you can jump all over Chad Johnson for that, I can totally see that. But you also feel it necessary to say something like "Bengals Fans Bring Towels to Cry in After Loss". I'm just saying that ragging on Bengals fans because their team is losing is fairly unimaginative and unnecessary.

[MikeVic]

How he wants to be? Why not.. Rice was his idol. Last year after the Bengals and Raiders played, he had asked Rice to meet him after the game just so he could talk to the man he looks up to the most, and Rice never showed up after agreeing to.

Will CJ go berserk now? This is like when a kid sees there's no santa, or some other traumatizing event. "Why did you do it Chad? Why?!" "Because Rice never showed up after he agreed to. :(" :cool:

[MikeVic]

Right now on ESPN, NFL Films showing the clip of CJ telling Marvin "Secret.. I wanna be the greatest receiver of all time. Marvin.. "That's no reason to be a secret." CJ.. "Y'all got to help me!"

The man sleeps in the Bengals' training facility a few times a week, on a couch, because he wants to be in the mode and ready.

Say what you want, he's damn inspiring.

Does he really? Or was this some sort of dirty lie?

[Blackadar]

But you also feel it necessary to say something like "Bengals Fans Bring Towels to Cry in After Loss". I'm just saying that ragging on Bengals fans because their team is losing is fairly unimaginative and unnecessary.

But as a Steelers fan, it's oh so much fun!

[scooper]

Does he really? Or was this some sort of dirty lie?
Yes he does. He sleeps a couple nights a week in the players lounge and spends most of the night watching film.

The guy has a big mouth but he works his butt off.

[Butter]

But as a Steelers fan, it's oh so much fun!

Oh, you're one of THOSE Steelers fans. OK.

Can't wait until you guys bite it in the playoffs. I'll be back to rub your face in it then.

[Blackadar]

Oh, you're one of THOSE Steelers fans. OK.

Can't wait until you guys bite it in the playoffs. I'll be back to rub your face in it then.

Yes, but the important thing is this: at least we will make the playoffs. :)

[Warhammer]

No, that doesn't play into it (and TO has played on some bad Niners teams, too, you know). Also, I am not as devoted to my teams (Rams, Cowboys) as others for various reasons. But those two teams do give me reasons--I hate the Niners (from both teams), and I still replay in my mind the joy of seeing Teague pop that jackass on the star.


Wow, aside from the Cowboys, I think you like all the teams I do. Rams, Angels, you better prefer the Kings over the Ducks when it comes to hockey.

Then again, it does make some sense, I grew up 5 miles away from Anaheim.

[Butter]

Yes, but the important thing is this: at least we will make the playoffs. :)

Yes.

Sorry about my touchiness, I've just had it with watching this team blow winnable games late. Palmer alone has cost the Bengals no fewer than 3 games this year.

[Blackadar]

Yes.

Sorry about my touchiness, I've just had it with watching this team blow winnable games late. Palmer alone has cost the Bengals no fewer than 3 games this year.

No problem. Mark my words. If they keep Marvin Lewis as coach, the Bengals will be divisional champs within 3 years.

[Julio Riddols]

Shorty, being a fellow bengals fan, I would have to disagree with your thoughts on Palmer.. I think he had one BAD throw against the steelers, but people make bad throws sometimes. He continues to make less and less of them. In the past 4 weeks, I have seen a major improvement in him and in the Bengals defense.

Other than that though, you have to look at the schedule they have played. I mean christ, for a team that is trying to come up, its awfully hard to win consistently when you play the Jets, The Steelers 2 times, the Ravens 2 times, The Broncos, An undermanned Titans team.. And they still have the Patriots, the Eagles, and a streaking Bills team whose defense has also been dominant at times.

Also don't forget that for the first 6 to 8 games this year, the offensive line has been banged up and playing through knee injuries. Peter Warrick has been basically inactive all year, and they have (partially because of the line troubles) had little help for Palmer on the ground. In the first 6 or 7 games, the defense failed to show up. Now they are coming together after all the injuries have finally stopped. I mean, to have 13 players on injured reserve is something they didnt need this season with this schedule. I mean theyre playing 4 rookies HEAVILY on defense, (Ratliff, Madieu Williams, who looks like a possible defensive rookie of the year, Robert Geathers who has been playing really well, and Landon Johnson at linebacker has been making plays as well. Not to mention Caleb Miller, who is injured, and Matthias Askew, who seems to be working his way into the mix as well..) and all 4 of them are looking really good. Lewis had a hell of a good draft this year, and I think next year and the subsequent years will show that this team simply had bad luck this year. (Provided they can avoid the rash of injuries that slowed their start this season.)

All in all, I think this season would have been a tough one for any Quarterback or team on the rise..

Just my opinion on what is unfolding in Cincinnati-

[Swaggs]

The Bengals had one of the best defenses I have seen this season. Unfortunately, the Steelers played a great defensive game, too. It had been awhile since I had seen two quarterbacks under so much pressure.

[Desnudo]

In the end it's really Icky Woods' fault isn't it?

[Chief Rum]

Wow, aside from the Cowboys, I think you like all the teams I do. Rams, Angels, you better prefer the Kings over the Ducks when it comes to hockey.

Then again, it does make some sense, I grew up 5 miles away from Anaheim.

Sorry, Ducks fan, although I do like the Kings, too (my brother held season tickets up until this year).

My Cowboys love comes from an LA source, too--I didn't start following them until Troy Aikman from UCLA went there. Little did I know while watching a horrible 1-15 season that I would soon be incorrectly lumped in with millions of bandwagon fans when they started winning. :)

CR