Filed Under » Chad Ochocinco

Terrell Owens apologized to football fans today if any of his past actions were seen as annoying, self-serving or simply lame and unfunny.

"It took me seeing it in someone else up close, day after day after day, to realize how awful it is," Owens said. "So, please, if in any way I acted like [Chad] Ochocinco in the past, I sincerely apologize. I would have hated me, too."

Owens said he was initially excited to sign with the Bengals, because it extended his NFL career and let him play with a receiver he considered to be very similar to him in Ochocinco. But after a week of training camp that excitement faded.

"Day 1 was awesome. Chad was hilarious," said Owens. "By Day 3 I found myself fake laughing more often and not. And at the end of the first week it was all I could do to not roll my eyes or just yell: 'SHUT THE F—K UP!'"

Owens has tried to avoid Ochocinco as much as possible of late, saying he has an appointment or that he has to use the bathroom if his teammate approaches him.

"That's what the other guys on the team told me to do, because that's what they do," said Owens. "They say trying to avoid Chad brings them together and that it has for years."

So far the plan has worked, although Owens is worried Ochocinco is starting to get suspicious.

"I know I started getting suspicious when my Cowboys teammates had appointments all the time," he said. "I was worried Tony Romo had cancer or something. Now I know he just found me really annoying. And I can't blame him."

Noted performer and entertainer Chad Ochocinco announced today that he will play in the National Football League in 2010, a role he will prepare for as soon as his upcoming run on a dancing show comes to a close.

"Many people don't know this, but football is something I've been messing with for years," said Ochocinco, who will suit up for the Cincinnati Bengals. "It allows me to show a different side of myself."

But those close to the entertainer fear he is spreading himself too thin and diluting his brand.

"I realize that playing football every Sunday opens Chad up to a new audience," said fellow entertainer Diddy. "But is it really worth doing that with all of the other time commitments he has? And in Cincinnati, Ohio of all places? No one will see that show. He should have gotten with a football team in New York or L.A."

Perhaps most concerning for Ochocinco's friends in the entertainment industry is the performer's insistence that he plans to play a significant amount with the Cincinnati-based football squad.

"I am okay with Chad doing this if that's what he wants to do," said actor Denzel Washington. "But there is a right way to do it. Look at Kim Kardashian's boyfriend. He's a good-looking kid, he's known around Hollywood, has a future here. He's dabbled in football, but he doesn't play much and it's obvious he doesn't take it too seriously. That's the model Chad should follow. He needs to remember where his bread is buttered."

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis say he is happy to get the performer any way he can.

"I've only met him a few times," said Lewis. "But he seems like a nice guy and is pretty down-to-earth for a big star. I know the people of Cincinnati are excited to get someone in town as famous as Chad Ochocinco, even if it's only a brief stop onto bigger and better things."

The media conglomerate run by NFL star Chad Ochocinco, Ocho Cinco News Network, has come under fire recently from fellow journalists claiming that OCNN deliberately shies away from key news stories.

“Not one. Not one news story critical of President Obama or his administration has aired on OCNN,” Fox News personality Glenn Beck told viewers on his show today. “Meanwhile our republic heads ever closer to destruction because OCNN and the rest of the mainstream media isn’t serving the public.”

OCNN was started in October 2009 by Ochocinco as a way to communicate directly to his fans. Since then OCNN has expanded during a time of media cutbacks, and now reports on such topics as what Ochocinco did last Saturday night, how Ray Rice felt after seeing “The Blind Side,” and what kind of sexual positions Chris Cooley and his wife use most. The network is soon expected to pass CNN and MSNBC in ratings. But other members of the press are starting to expect more.

Radio commentator Rush Limbaugh has said OCNN’s growth is due “social concern.”

“The media has been very desirous that a black wide receiver do well in its business,” Limbaugh told listeners.

But it isn’t just conservative members of the media that are publicly calling out OCNN for its journalistic failings. MSNBC correspondent Keith Olbermann spoke out Wednesday night on his show.

“Chad Ochocinco, sir – if that is even your name, sir,” railed Olbermann. “You have within your power to help bring change that this country desperately needs. Health care, sir. Gay marriage, sir. And an immigration policy that serves the many people in this country that share your Mexican background. There are two unjust wars being waged, sir. Or do you not care to have Pat Tillman’s blood on your hands?”

Ochocinco has been uncharacteristically silent on the criticism. His most recent Twitter update read, “@tammytorres roses are red violets are blue no more being lonely now I have you—POW—THAT WAS SO CORNY”.