Former NFL Star Calls Out Vikings for “Unnecessary & Unsportsmanlike Conduct”

The Minnesota Vikings came into Week 3 off a loss against the Atlanta Falcons. That was a game they were expected to win, but they came up short in the primetime Sunday Night Football contest.

That news was made worse when J.J. McCarthy was announced to have a high-ankle sprain on Monday. Kevin O’Connell revealed it would be the Carson Wentz show against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Former Bengals superstar wideout Chad “Ochocino” Johnson decided that was the perfect recipe to write a check. Unfortunately for him, it was one he couldn’t cash.

Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson responds to MN Vikings paddling of Bengals

The Minnesota Vikings came in as slight favorites by 2.5 points. That wasn’t enough to deter Chad “Ochocino” Johnson from suggesting the Bengals were a lock to win.

Vikings https://t.co/hsbCUoyNII

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) September 21, 2025

Before the clock had even hit zero, Ochocinco was begging for mercy.

Vikings this is totally unnecessary & unsportsmanlike conduct in a sense❕

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) September 21, 2025

Of course the Vikings came out ready to establish their presence, and they never let up. Carson Wentz diced up the defense and found Josh Oliver for a touchdown strike on the first possession of the game. Then after a pair of punts, Isaiah Rodgers announced his presence with an 87-yard interception return.

From that point, it was over.

The Minnesota Vikings defense absolutely demolished the Bengals up front. Joe Burrow backup Jake Browning was constantly under pressure, and he would later throw a late interception to Josh Metellus. Rodgers punched out a pair of fumbles, and took one of those to the house as well.

While Ochocino didn’t actually mean the Vikings had committed unnecessary and unsportsmanlike conduct, he was describing the public humiliation that was on display at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The man once known for his demonstrative and over-the-top antics certainly watched his team get served a helping of humble pie.

Related: Key Takeaways From the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 3 Annihilation of the Bengals

Johnson played ten seasons with the Bengals and tallied 10,783 yards with 66 touchdowns. He has Ja’Marr Chase looking to overtake his career records. Though Chase continues to talk at fellow LSU wideout Justin Jefferson, it was the Vikings wideout who bested him on Sunday. Minnesota’s wide receiver bested the Bengals wideout by 25 yards.

Minnesota will look to serve up another helping of unnecessary and unsportsmanlike victory on Sunday from Dublin, Ireland against the Pittsburgh Steelers.