Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins announced plans to move from the number 85 and have a different jersey number in 2022. According to Higgins, he’s making a change in order to avoid comparison with franchise legend Chad Ochocinco Johnson.
Johnson famously wore the number 85 during his 10 years with the Bengals and even legally added “Ochocinco” (Spanish for 85) to his name. He currently owns franchise records in most receiving categories, including receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
Surprisingly, the Bengals still didn’t retire number 85, making it available for Higgins when he came into the league in 2020. However, the Clemson product soon regretted the decision when the fans started labeling him as “Ochocinco 2.0”.
“I keep seeing on Twitter, ‘Ochocinco 2.0,'” Higgins said via ESPN. “I don’t want to be a 2.0. No disrespect to Chad. He’s a great receiver, this and that. I just don’t want to be a 2.0 for myself, man. I want to be Tee Higgins, 1.0, number five.”
The 22-year-old player added that he believes the number 85 shouldn’t get back in circulation and believes the number “is gonna get lifted one day” in Johnson’s honor.
Higgins, who was the Bengals’ second-round pick in 2020, is coming off a productive first season in NFL. He finished the campaign with 67 catches, 908 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns.
