Ochocinco Tweets Remorse After Being Fined By NFL For Tweeting

The NFL has fined wide receiver Chad Ochocinco $25,000 for tweeting right before and during a game.

Two messages appeared on his Twitter page during the prohibited period, when players can't use social media. The prohibited period starts 90 minutes prior to kickoff and lasts until post-game media obligations are fulfilled.

Ochocinco violated 2 NFL policies - possession of an electronic device and posting messages on a social media site.

One Ochocinco message appeared at 6:50 p.m. ET and the second at 9:53 p.m. ET. The game kicked off at 8:07 p.m. ET. To view these tweets, click on this link - http://twitter.com/OGOchocinco

I just reviewed his Twitter account, and it looks like Chad Ochocinco and/or Chad Johnson feels bad:

Dear NFL I apologize for tweeting during the game but that was 2 monthsof my Bugatti payments you just took from me, I won't do it again.

Background On Policy

NFL rules previously had barred players, coaches and other club personnel from using cell phones, computers and other electronic devices on the sideline, in the locker room and in the coaches' booth in the press box between pregame warmups through the conclusion of a game.

It didn't, though, account for Twitter. NFL officials felt the need to issue an amended set of rules because of the prevalent use of Twitter by many players.

As per the new policy released last summer, "coaches, players and football operations personnel are permitted under league policy and with club permission to use social media on game day during specific time periods before and after games... up to 90 minutes before kickoff and after the game following media interviews".

After amending its policies, the NFL issued a written statement about the change noting it did not prohibit tweeting on off days:

"The growth of social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook has created important new ways for the NFL and clubs to communicate and connect with fans. The NFL has been at the forefront of the use of new media and will continue to emphasize innovative and appropriate use of these new forms of communication."

The bann applies to players, coaches, team officials, "or anyone representing" one of those people.