Former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco offered a peculiar defense for San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York following his arrest for allegedly attempting to pay $140 for prostitution. Speaking on the "Night Cap" show with Shannon Sharpe and Joe Johnson, Ochocinco suggested that the cost was a reflection of inflation, stating, "it used to be $40."
York was arrested on Sunday near a trailer park in East Palestine, Ohio, after responding to an advertisement on a prostitution website. He reportedly arranged to exchange $140 for sexual activity with an individual, leading to his apprehension by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of a sting operation.
Ochocinco, who played most of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, reminisced about his own past experiences, asserting, "I used to be out there... It used to be $40." He implied that the fee was for a brief encounter, stating, "The man tried to get a little hoo-ha... The man don’t want no ties. I’m getting in and I’m getting out."
Co-host Joe Johnson disagreed with Ochocinco's assessment, calling $140 a "damn setup." Johnson also questioned why a billionaire like York would be engaging in such activities near a trailer park.
Sharpe sided with Johnson, humorously suggesting that for $140, he would expect a higher quality experience, "the screen door to be hanging" upon entry. Ochocinco countered by suggesting that the value of such encounters is subjective, adding that "hoo-ha don’t cost you nothing. Let me tell you something, it’s really free if you use your imagination and some lotion."
The incident involving York comes months after he filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle Belluomini. The couple, who have two sons, are reportedly seeking joint legal and physical custody, with York citing "irreconcilable differences" in his divorce petition.