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From Profootballtalk.com: JOHNSON LOOKING AT A HALF MILLION PRICE TAG TO BECOME “OCHO CINCO”?

The issue is the NFL’s contractual commitment to Reebok, and whether Johnson will pay the production costs for the unsold inventory of “C. Johnson” jerseys.

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com suggests that, for a player of Johnson’s stature, the number will be in range of $500,000.

$500,000 is not an insignificant amount even for a player like Chad Johnson.  This might be a large enough stumbling block to keep him from changing his jersey.

It’s kind of strange though, I wonder who pays for all the leftover Green Bay Brett Farve jerseys.

From ESPN.com: IAAF asks jumper accused of drinking at meet to explain conduct

Track and field’s ruling body wants Ivan Ukhov to explain his conduct at the Athletissima meet in which rival high jumpers said the Russian had been drinking vodka and Red Bull during the competition.

Ukhov failed with each attempt to clear the bar Tuesday before being asked to stop competing at the Swiss meet.

…

Alcohol is not classed as a performance-enhancing substance and is not formally prohibited in athletics competition.

From ESPN.com: LPGA won’t suspend players over English-speaking requirement

Under increasing criticism, the LPGA Tour on Friday backed off plans to suspend players who cannot speak English well enough to be understood at pro-ams, in interviews or in making acceptance speeches at tournaments.

The players all realize that learning English is in the best interests of themselves and the tour.   But how easily is it for someone to play golf full time and to learn another language?  How many Americans can even speak another language?

It just takes time to learn a new language.  Rafael Nadal in tennis speaks English a lot better now, but it’s been 5 years on the ATP tour.

From Bengals.com:

“Effective today, the Bengals begin the process of listing the former Chad Johnson as Chad Ocho Cinco for all club business, per the legal change of his surname effected in Florida. The list of appropriate changes will include the player wearing the name Ocho Cinco on the back of his jersey for Sunday’s season opener at Baltimore.”
…
Asked why the NFL decided to recognize the name change, league spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail, “It’s his legal surname.”

I like it.  I think it’s crazy and fun.  It also helps take a little bit of the bad taste away from his incessant trade demands over the winter.

UPDATE: Chad hasn’t updated his website- ChadJohnson85.com
UPDATE: Evidently Chad started using “Ocho Cinco” after hearing it in this NFL Network ad

From Cincinnati.com: John McCain’s Bridge to Nowhere

This is a great cartoon by Jim Borgman. 

As an aside, I can’t believe that Jim Borgman is leaving the Enquirer!

Cartoonist Jim Borgman Taking Buyout From ‘Cincinnati Enquirer’

Rafael Nadal’s Mini Me working as a ball boy at the U.S. Open

Picture from USOpen.org

From NY Daily News: PALIN ADMITS HER 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IS PREGNANT

On his MySpace page, Johnston boasts, “I’m a f – – -in’ redneck” who likes to snowboard and ride dirt bikes.

“But I live to play hockey. I like to go camping and hang out with the boys, do some fishing, shoot some s- – – and just f – – -in’ chillin’ I guess.”

“Ya f – – – with me I’ll kick [your] ass,” he added.

He also claims to be “in a relationship,” but states, “I don’t want kids.”

This is a plus for the Republicans, shoring up the redneck base and reaching out to slacker youths at the same time.

From LATimes.com: (PICTURE) A Hunting Trophy

Isn’t blowing away a caribou in front of your kids a little much?  Even for Alaska?

From CNN.com: The curse word ‘Battlestar Galactica’ created

The word is showing up everywhere — on T-shirts, in sit-coms, best-selling novels and regular conversation.

“I have to start by saying that I’m drinking coffee out of a mug that says ‘frak off’ on the side of it, so much has it seeped into my life,” “Galactica” star Jamie Bamber said.

The word is insinuating its way into popular vocabulary for a simple reason.

You can’t get in trouble. It’s a made-up word.

The word is used so naturally in the world of Battlestar Galactica that it’s no surprise to me that it’s making the transition to the real world.

“Happy Birthday Mr. President!”

McCain looks like he just got a new toy for his birthday!   Sarah Palin popping out of a box with her “Miss Alaska” wave!

I guess even the NYTimes found the above picture of McCain “vetting” his new running mate a little wrong, substituting the picture below on the webpage. 
McCain creepiness quotient +1