Former NFL WR Chad Johnson Trying Out As Kicker In XFL

You are reading the headline right. Former NFL star wide receiver Chad ‘Ocho Cinco’ Johnson is getting a tryout in the XFL. Not as a wide receiver on one of the eight XFL teams, but as a kicker.

The 42-year-old, former six-time Pro Bowler of the Cincinnati Bengals, has expressed an interest in kicking lately. He recently posted on his Instagram account of a kick he made from 60 yards.

“I’m going back to the @nfl as a kicker next year, i spoke with Goodell and i will get the opportunity. I’m good from 60 & 70 yards if i had a cleat on my plant foot.”

View this post on Instagram

I’m going back to the @nfl as a kicker next year, i spoke with Goodell and i will get the opportunity. I’m good from 60 & 70 yards if i had a cleat on my plant foot.

A post shared by Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) on Dec 20, 2019 at 3:19pm PST

On his Twitter account he posted today;

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’

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

Pretty far fetched 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 ?

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 14, 2020

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert has confirmed the tryout is real.

Johnson last played in the NFL in February 2012 for the New England Patriots. No word on if this tryout is for the Houston Roughnecks or all XFL teams. The league is in Houston conducting pre-season training camp till the end of January.