The Rialto Theatre in Raleigh provided quite the welcome for former NFL star receiver Chad Johnson.
Johnson, whose nickname is “Ochocinco,” visited Raleigh for Friday’s Andrea Bocelli concert at Lenovo Center.
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On Friday, Johnson posed for a photo outside of the Rialto, whose marquee reads, “Welcome to Raleeah Ochocinco.”
Johnson wrote on his Instagram, “Feels good to be welcomed with open arms.”
Johnson pronunciation of North Carolina’s capital city went viral in early January on the “Night Cap” podcast, which he hosts with Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.
On the podcast, Sharpe accused Johnson of never going to Charlotte.
Johnson responded saying he had been to Charlotte and said he dated a woman in 2003 from Charlotte. He also mentioned other places he's visited in North Carolina.
“I’ve been to, uh, Rah-lee-ah,” Johnson said on the show. “I’ve been to Ra-lee-ah twice.”
“You mean Raleigh?” Sharpe asked.
Johnson thinks he’s correcting Sharpe by saying again, “Ra-lee-ah.”
“Oh, OK. Close enough,” Sharpe said.
Johnson stared in disbelief when Sharpe tells him the correct pronunciation of Raleigh.
@nightcapshow_ You know what? Ocho is from Florida, so Ra-leeah tracks 😂 let him have this one, North Carolinians 😂 #nightcap #uncandocho #raleigh #northcarolina #fypシ゚viral ♬ original sound - Nightcap