AFC North rivalries die hard. The Pittsburgh Steelers indubitably got the better of the Cincinnati Bengals during the careers of James Harrison and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. One franchise has been a paragon of excellence in North American sports for decades. Another has only recently not been among the most frugal, and frankly cheap, in all of sports.
I’m certain James Harrison is one of the 10 or so former NFL players who I’d least like to get into the octagon with for an MMA fight. That was never going to stop the forever uber-confident Johnson — to the point where he’s allegedly planning to get into a legit bout with Harrison in New Orleans before the next Super Bowl.
Not sure how serious this is or how much I can take any outlandish proclamation Johnson says at face value, but the back-and-forth between the players is hysterical.
It’s 5 rounds @ochocinco 🙄 https://t.co/2X8MKfhk9a
— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) October 2, 2024
I’m gone beat yo ass in round 1 so don’t worry about the other 4. I’m standing on business. 💯 https://t.co/2oqBc3uwp5
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) October 2, 2024
You not go be able to stand once I get done with you. https://t.co/Qxnq2A9tNA
— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) October 2, 2024
The bad blood between the Steelers and Bengals runs deep. From my memory, Harrison actually picked on the Browns more than the Bengals, seemingly intentional in concussing the likes of Colt McCoy, Mohamed Massaquoi and Josh Cribbs. Perhaps most notable re: Pittsburgh-Cincinnati dirty play was Vontaze Burfict severely injuring Antonio Brown, which AB himself speculates may explain his erratic behavior in recent years.
As a Bengals fan, I can admit Vontaze Burfict was the freaking worst. Can’t say I blame JuJu Smith-Schuster for retaliating like this:
Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster just destroyed Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict on this peel back block. pic.twitter.com/DezDC1i8o8
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) December 5, 2017
OK but let’s get back to the Johnson-Harrison feud. Unless you lived under a rock or were too young to watch the NFL around the start of the new millennium, Johnson was among the most dynamic wide receivers of his generation. Certainly an elite route-runner. Perhaps an even better trash talker and gloating touchdown celebration artiste. Harrison was the human equivalent of a brick sh*t house filled with a gigantic bag of nails. If this is about to be a true catchweight MMA fight, and Harrison doesn’t slim down considerably, Johnson is about to get his world rocked.
Love me some Chad Ochocinco, but my lord. Why would you even try James Harrison? I wouldn’t put the mere possibility of fighting him out into the universe. There’s a fine line between courage and outright insanity. Johnson is toeing it by instigating this duel.
As of mere minutes before submitting this, it doesn’t appear that Johnson is bluffing whatsoever.
New Orleans a few days before Super Bowl, finna sleep fool 💤 https://t.co/BF2wZkmJMj
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) October 4, 2024
Ya moma & daddy a joke, look how you tuned out cause you can’t make no money, now you mad at me cause my hand in everything. Nanny Nanny Boo Boo 🖕🏾 https://t.co/AIE9ALvGmW
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) October 4, 2024
I mean, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t still be tuning in for it. And yeah, maybe the payday would be pretty sweet for Ochocinco. Just stay alive, man. We don’t need you exiting this plane of existence on a 100% avoidable James Harrison bout.
Maybe stick with the podcasting alongside Shannon Sharpe! Just a thought…
