ABOUT THE BOOKProfessional athletes often dazzle sports fans with their on-field heroics or entertain them with larger-than-life personalities outside the stadium. Relatively few are able to do both, but former Cincinnati Bengals (current New England Patriots) wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has proven to be the exception to the rule.Since entering the NFL in 2001 (when he was known as Chad Johnson), Ochocinco has been one of the top receiving threats in the league. From 2003 to 2007, he embarked on a remarkably productive and consistent run, starting every Bengals game and averaging 92 catches, 1374 receiving yards and nine touchdowns per season. He made the Pro Bowl five straight times, becoming one of the biggest reasons for supporters of the once moribund Cincinnati franchise to finally have some hope.EXCERPT FROM THE BOOKOchocinco saw playing time as a rookie in 2001 but only became a regular in the starting lineup during Week 3 of the 2002 season. He racked up 1,166 receiving yards in his second NFL season, setting a record for a first or second-year Bengals player, but that was just a teaser for what awaited Cincinnati fans in 2003.In his third campaign, Ochocinco lived up to the time-honored tradition of third-year receivers breaking out by hauling in 90 passes for 10 touchdowns and leading the AFC with 1,355 receiving yards. Even more was in store the following two seasons, with Ochocinco breaking his own team record for receiving yards twice in a row. Then in 2006, he became the first Bengal ever to lead the NFL in that category, edging out the Colts' Marvin Harrison by just three yards.Not coincidentally, the Bengals began to shed their laughingstock image. The arrival of quarterback Carson Palmer and running back Rudi Johnson to go with Ochocinco and Houshmandzadeh gave Cincinnati a full compliment of offensive weapons, and the foursome helped lead the Bengals to their division title and playoff appearance in 15 years in 2005.At the same time, Ochocinco's reputation for the flamboyant was developing at full speed. Some of his most memorable (and sometimes controversial) moments include...Buy a copy to keep reading!