Chad Ochocinco reveals "threatening to beat up" players for complaining about their Madden ratings

Chad Ochocinco is EA Sports' official Madden ratings adjuster. The former NFL wide receiver did not mince words when he discussed the backlash he receives from unhappy players.

Sports commentator Kay Adams asked if any player has gotten Ochocinco to change his mind about them.

"I like for the players to come up to me and gripe about their ratings but then what I can do now is I can show you film," Ochocinco said on Wednesday, via the "Up and Adams" show.

"I can break things down for you in PowerPoint presentation as to why you're not the rating you should be. It's not about one game. It's about doing consistently week-to-week and dominating at your position. You cannot pull the wool over my eyes. Your ratings are based on your play on the field."

The six-time Pro Bowler also shared how his handles players' complaints about their Madden ratings.

"You know what's funny? I've had some issues with players before, mainly bigger guys, a defensive lineman, you know, D-tackles or DNs," Ochocinco said. "And they try to press me about their rating and I tried to explain to them and then they catch a little attitude then I have to threaten to beat them up."

Ochocinco argued that he sometimes has to take a difficult route to keep things in control. He can't let the players bully him into giving them their desired rating.

Chad Ochocinco not named 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist

Chad Ochocinco became eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. He was nominated for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame but did not make the cut as a semifinalist. His chances of joining the elites of the game remain uncertain a decade later.

Ochocinco was one of the league’s most electrifying wide receivers during his 11-year NFL career. He racked up more than 11,000 receiving yards and 766 catches, earning three First-Team All-Pro honors and six Pro Bowl selections.

Ochocinco posted those numbers while playing for a Bengals organization that managed just two winning seasons during his decade with the team.

His time in the league ended after he was released by the Miami Dolphins in 2012 following a domestic battery incident.