Ochocinco: 'Happy' despite 'humbling' year

Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco told the Associated Press that his season with the Patriots has been "humbling," but that he is ultimately happier to be going to the Super Bowl as a roster member of one of the participating teams rather than as a representative of the Ochocinco News Network.

"It's been a learning experience; that's what this has been. This had been one of the most humbling experiences I've ever been in," Ochocinco told the AP. "This is one of the first times I've been about doing exactly what everyone told me to do. It wasn't about the numbers. It wasn't about money. It wasn't about me."

Asked if he regretted that tradeoff, Ochocinco was adamant. From the story:

"No!" he said with an expletive and a smile, "because I've done the other thing over and over.

"I'm happy, but the competitive side of me is (angry)," he said. "Does that make sense?"

While the season has not been without its challenges for the six-time Pro Bowler, who caught just 15 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown this year, Ochocinco expressed satisfaction with his team-first mentality and the fact that he did not have any outbursts that distracted the Patriots.

"I handled myself with the utmost professionalism," Ochocinco said. "I busted my (butt), didn't pout - that's what I do: 'Give me the rock!' But I didn't do what people thought I would do. Even I thought I was going to do it."

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