Ochocinco's Michael Jackson slip-up

At the sports bloggers conference I went to a couple weeks ago in New York City, they talked about how athletes can use Twitter to interact directly with fans.

Chad OchoCinco, who has a very active account, showed this evening exactly how not to use the social networking tool.

The Bengals' wide receiver, who goes under the handle OGOchoCinco, commented on Michael Jackson's death as the news was unfolding:

Okay, first Mrs. Fawcett now Mr. Jackson, please tell me that this is a mistaken rumor, if not this is just as sad as 9/11

Yikes.

OchoCinco was promptly ripped by several of his 20,495 followers. To his credit, he soon apologized:

okay not as bad as 911, its sad period, both situations my goodness people,  they just said he is okay in the hospital,

The 9/11 was a bit over the top, i am just in an emotional state right now, bare with me while i regroup people, be back in 10 minutes

Sorry 85 million times, today sucks man, i still have my jacket with the zippers on it, wow

It wasn't enough for some, who continued to attack him via tweets. I can't rip the guy too much. It was obviously a dumb thing to say and he took it back right away.

Anyway, the YouTube video of Jackson performing at the Super Bowl: