Can Chad Johnson kick it? We’ll soon find out.
The artist formerly known as Ochocinco announced on Twitter that he has a tryout scheduled with the XFL next week. But, instead of seeing if he still has what it takes to catch passes, Johnson is going to give it a go as a kicker.
As of now, ESPN reports, the tryout is real.
“The opportunity to kick in the XFL has presented itself,” Johnson tweeted. “I must tryout Monday in Houston, I’m excited as hell & I’m sure all will go well.”
In a subsequent tweet, Johnson lightly hinted playing in the XFL could be a way to get himself back in the NFL.
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
Johnson, 42, hasn’t suited up in NFL since he took the field for the New England Patriots in February 2012 during Super Bowl XLVI. The former star, who converted an extra point and kicked off for the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2009 preseason, caught one pass as the Patriots lost to the Giants.
While it seems like an odd move for the former wideout, who has more than 11,000 career receiving yards to go along with 67 touchdowns, Johnson did post a video of himself kicking from distance last month.
View this post on Instagram
“I’m going back to the NFL as a kicker next year,” Johnson captioned the clip. “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.”
Training camp for the XFL is already underway in the Houston area and the season kicks off on February 8.
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