NFL confirms "Ocho Cinco" fine

Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has been fined $5,000 for violation of the NFL uniform policy, AFC information manager Steve Alic told The Enquirer this afternoon.

Johnson wore "Ocho Cinco" over his nameplate before the Bengals game Sunday against Atlanta. Quarterback Carson Palmer tore it off before kickoff.

Johnson referred to himself as "Ocho Cinco" all week leading up to the Atlanta game. It is Spanish for another way Johnson refers to himself by his uniform number, "eight-five."

Johnson has declined to say whether he will appeal the fine.

NFL player fine money is split evenly among four organizations: the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund, the Vincent T. Lombardi Cancer Research Center, ALSO Neuromuscular Research Foundation and the NFLPA Player Assistance Trust.

Johnson, under terms of the contract extension he signed in April, is paid a base salary of $2.5 million for the 2006 season. He also received a $5 million signing bonus for agreeing to the extension. He has earned $250,000 in a reporting bonus and another $250,000 as a workout bonus. His total take for 2006 for his contract only, not counting endorsement deals, is $8 million.