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CINCINNATI Maybe receiver Chad Johnson can go by the name that his coach hates.
The Cincinnati Bengals receiver has legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco in Broward County, Fla., a switch that became official this week, according to several media reports. Johnson, who lives in Miami, didn't return a message left on his cell phone Friday night.
“It's something I don't think anyone has ever done before,” he told the team's Web site. “Have I ever had a reason for why I do what I do? I'm having fun.”
Two years ago, Johnson gave himself the moniker – a reference in Spanish to his No.85 – and put it on the back of his uniform before a game. Quarterback Carson Palmer ripped it off before the kickoff. After the season, coach Marvin Lewis – who dislikes Johnson's attention-getting stunts – referred to the receiver as “Ocho Psycho.”
A Bengals spokesman said the team had no comment on the matter.
Around the league
Cornerback Charles Tillman revealed that his infant daughter, Tiana, has a form of cardiomyopathy and required a heart transplant. Tiana, 6 months old, was released from the hospital Monday.
DALLAS: Sam Hurd, the No.3 receiver behind Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton, got an MRI exam and was diagnosed with a high left ankle sprain. He won't play in the season opener at Cleveland.
Larry Allen
, one of the best offensive guards in NFL history, signed a one-day contract so he could officially retire with the Cowboys. He played for Dallas from 1994 to 2005 and earned 10 Pro Bowl selections.
HOUSTON: The Texans released veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. Houston signed him in June after he was released by New England.
MINNESOTA: The NFL suspended left tackle Bryant McKinnie for four games without pay for violating the league's personal conduct policy. He has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a street brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February.
KANSAS CITY: Nick Novak won the competition for the kicking job, beating out rookie Connor Barth, who played at North Carolina. Novak has kicked for Washington and Arizona.
TENNESSEE: Coach Jeff Fisher isn't saying much about quarterback Vince Young's hand injury. Young bruised his throwing hand in the first half of Thursday night's 23-21 preseason finale win against Green Bay.
WASHINGTON: Coach Jim Zorn said longtime starting right tackle Jon Jansen could lose his job, and rookie receiver Malcolm Kelly might be out for the season because of knee problems.
