Johnson says he’s trying out as kicker
Former receiver also hopes to make return to NFL
Chad Johnson, the retired NFL receiver also known as Chad Ochocinco, is eyeing a football comeback.
Johnson, a South Florida native and Fort Lauderdale resident, said that he will try out as a kicker with the XFL on Monday. He even hopes to parlay the opportunity into a return to the NFL.
“The opportunity to kick in the XFL has presented itself, I must tryout Monday in Houston, I’m excited as hell & I’m sure all will go well,” Johnson posted Tuesday on Twitter.
“Pretty far fetched (sic) but imagine me being consistent during an XFL season & getting a chance at a 53 man roster in the NFL, even i don’t make it just being able to compete for a spot at a entirely different position will be so riveting,” he said in another tweet.
Johnson, a soccer fan and avid FIFA video game player, has often shown his affinity for kicking and the special teams aspect in football. Roughly a month ago, Johnson posted a video of himself successfully kicking a 60-yard field goal on Instagram.
During his NFL career, which spanned 11 seasons before ending with a quick, two-month stint with the Miami Dolphins, Johnson did line up for an extrapoint kick during a preseason game with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009.
He successfully made the kick — which coincidentally came against his second NFL team, the New England Patriots — and the extra point became the deciding one in the 7-6 preseason victory for the Bengals.
Johnson would undoubtedly be the highest-profiled player to try out for the XFL, which begins its second stint as a competitive football league with games beginning on Feb. 8.
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