Tee Higgins to Change Jersey Number, Says He’s Not ‘Ochocinco 2.0’

Tee Higgins won’t be wearing No. 85 much longer.

The Bengals second-year wide receiver has decided to change jersey numbers after the season. Wearing the same number as former Cincinnati great Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson has resulted in many comparisons between the two, something Higgins has grown tired of seeing.

The former Clemson standout wants to make his own mark on the organization.

“I keep seeing on Twitter, ‘Ochocinco 2.0,'” Higgins said recently. “I don’t want to be a 2.0. No disrespect to Chad. He’s a great receiver, this and that. I just don’t want to be a 2.0 for myself, man. I want to be Tee Higgins, 1.0, No. 5.”

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins to change number away from 85 formerly worn by Chad Johnson https://t.co/5mYrPzdu5d

— Ant Pruitt (@ant_pruitt) September 17, 2021

Higgins was the Bengals top receiver in 2020, and had four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening win over the Vikings.

Part of the reason for the change revolves around the fact that Higgins is just beginning his second season in the NFL and thinks he hasn’t done enough yet to be compared to one of the team’s all-time greats. However, he did make it clear that he planned to have a big year in his final season wearing the number.

“I just feel like Chad’s done so much for this organization,” Higgins said. “I just got a good feeling that his number is gonna get lifted one day.”