Retired Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson wants to make a comeback as a kicker in the XFL .
The 42-year-old known as ‘Ochocinco’ has not played in the NFL since 2011, but announced his plans on Twitter to try out for the XFL next week. His ultimate goal he said is to return to the NFL as a kicker.
Johnson, who caught 766 passes in his NFL career, said the kicking opportunity ‘presented itself.’ All eight teams have been in training camp in the Houston area since January 4, with the inaugural season set to begin February 8.
Johnson hinted that his ultimate dream would be to eventually return to the NFL as a kicker.
‘Pretty far fetched but imagine me being consistent during an XFL season (and) getting a chance at a 53 man roster in the NFL,’ Johnson said in a Twiter post. ‘even i don’t make it just being able to compete for a spot at a entirely different position will be so riveting.’
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 🙏🏿
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 14, 2020
As it turns out, the 42-year-old has done some kicking. A well-known soccer enthusiast, Johnson frequently kicked in practice and once converted a point-after attempt (PAT) and handled kickoff duties in a 2009 preseason game against New England.
He has also had some unofficial experience as a kicker. In an appearance on Bleacher Report’s “Gameday Gameshow,” Ochocinco drilled a 60-yard field goal to help a contestant win a bet. With some practice, it’s not hard to imagine the Cincinnati Bengals great finding a second round of football success through his powerful boot.
Check out a video of the 60-yard shot below:
Chad @ochocinco nailed a 60-yard FG to win this fan his bet 🤯
New @br_betting 'Gameday Gameshow' (➡️ @CaesarsPalace) pic.twitter.com/GJ780riKVE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 19, 2019