The Montreal Alouettes announced on Thursday that they signed veteran wide receiver Chad Johnson formally known as Chad Ochocinco.

After 11 seasons in the NFL, including ten productive but tumultuous years with the Cincinnati Bengals, he last played a professional game with the New England Patriots in 2011.  He participated in training camp with the Miami Dolphins but was released after he was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery against his former wife, Evelyn Lozada.  At 36-years old and amassing 11,059 yards, 766 passes and scoring 67 receiving touchdowns, it appeared that Johnson’s time in the NFL had run it’s course.  He even took a job as a fantasy football analyst for CBS Sports and it seemed he was making the routine transition from player to broadcaster.

He turns out however that Johnson was not yet ready to hang up his cleats.  After successful workouts, he signed with the Aloutettes.  While many NFL players scoff at the thought of playing in the CFL, Johnson appeared happy and excited to get back on the field.  ”It’s just football. It’s football,” Johnson said. “It’s not about Montreal. It’s about the opportunity to be able to play football again, something I love.”  It may even be a chance for him to work his way back into the big leagues.

– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)