KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chad Ochocinco will try to play a different kind of football during the NFL lockout.
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AP Photo/Charles KrupaChad Ochocinco kicked an extra point in the 2009 preseason. Now he'll use his feet to try to impress Sporting Kansas City of MLS.
Never short on publicity-grabbing ideas, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is set for a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer starting Tuesday.
The club said Wednesday that after the tryout, it would determine whether to extend the trial period.
"We're always searching for players who can help our team and bringing in new talent," Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. "We know that Chad is an exceptional athlete and that he loves the sport of soccer, and he did play a lot when he was younger. We're excited to see how his skills will translate once he arrives next week and begins training with our team."
Ochocinco started playing soccer at age 4 but chose to focus on football in high school.
"Due to the NFL lockout, I'm excited to be able to follow my childhood dream of playing for a Major League Soccer team," Ochocinco said.
The reality TV star is friends with such big names in soccer as Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. In January, Ochocinco visited Ronaldo, Kaka and the rest of Real Madrid's squad and was introduced to manager Jose Mourinho.
He has said he uses a soccer ball to warm up for NFL practices and games.
Sporting Kansas City, which changed its name from the Wizards in conjunction with moving into a new stadium, opens its MLS season Saturday. It narrowly missed the playoffs last year.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Charles KrupaChad Ochocinco kicked an extra point in the 2009 preseason. Now he'll use his feet to try to impress Sporting Kansas City of MLS.Never short on publicity-grabbing ideas, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is set for a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer starting Tuesday.
The club said Wednesday that after the tryout, it would determine whether to extend the trial period.
"We're always searching for players who can help our team and bringing in new talent," Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. "We know that Chad is an exceptional athlete and that he loves the sport of soccer, and he did play a lot when he was younger. We're excited to see how his skills will translate once he arrives next week and begins training with our team."
Ochocinco started playing soccer at age 4 but chose to focus on football in high school.
"Due to the NFL lockout, I'm excited to be able to follow my childhood dream of playing for a Major League Soccer team," Ochocinco said.
The reality TV star is friends with such big names in soccer as Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. In January, Ochocinco visited Ronaldo, Kaka and the rest of Real Madrid's squad and was introduced to manager Jose Mourinho.
He has said he uses a soccer ball to warm up for NFL practices and games.
Sporting Kansas City, which changed its name from the Wizards in conjunction with moving into a new stadium, opens its MLS season Saturday. It narrowly missed the playoffs last year.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
