LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Chad Ochocinco took time out from the amusement park at ESPN The Weekend to show support and solidarity for quarterback Carson Palmer, who is demanding a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I haven't spoken to him, but it's no need for me to talk to him," Ochocinco said. "He said his piece. I stand by him in what he said and I hope he gets his wish. I always support my fellow players, teammates or anybody who is in the league for that matter."
Palmer, who is determined to leave Cincinnati, told a confidant that he "will never set foot in Paul Brown Stadium again," WCPO-TV in Cincinnati reported Tuesday.
Palmer also went on to say, "I have $80 million in the bank. I don't have to play football for money. I'll play it for the love of the game but that would have to be elsewhere. I'm prepared to live my life."
Ochocinco, a player who has never been known to hold his tongue, had this to say about Palmer's passionate quote: "That's him. There's one thing you have to understand: When someone goes out of character, which this is out of character for him, and a guy that grows a random beard and is really quiet, when they speak, you listen. Seriously. Trust me. He is not playing."
In January, Bengals owner Mike Brown said he would not trade Palmer because he is integral to the team's plans.
In 2003, the Bengals made Palmer the first overall pick and he led them to the playoffs in 2005 and 2009 while battling knee and elbow injuries. Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
