Chad Johnson was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL for a decade with the Cincinnati Bengals, but he now has an opportunity to continue his playing career in a much different role.
On Tuesday morning, Johnson tweeted that he has been invited to an XFL tryout in Houston that will be held next week. Teams will be getting a look at him as a placekicker.
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
No, this is not a joke. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert confirmed that the tryout is legitimate. The 42-year-old Johnson seems to be going into it with real expectations, too, as he said he is excited just to have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot at a new position.
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 is a huge soccer fan, and he actually can kick. He shared a video on Instagram last month that appeared to show him converting a 60-yard field goal.
Johnson has been offering his services to NFL teams as a kicker for years, and this is the closest he has ever gotten to actually making it happen. The odds are minuscule that he will ever kick in the NFL even if he does earn a spot with an XFL team, but you have to commend him for doing enough to land a tryout.
