I wouldn’t want Chad Ochocinco on my team.

But I certainly want him in my league.

Ochocinco is the former Chad Johnson, colorful National Football League receiver and a career member of the downtrodden Cincinnati Bengals. Which ought to be enough for the league to cut him a break if he acts a bit goofy. Which he most certainly does.

To bring you up to date …

Chad Ochocinco had his name legally changed, from Chad Johnson, because he wears No. 85 for the Bengals. And perhaps because he thought there were too many Chad Johnsons in the world.

I’m not sure what he does if he ever gets traded and can’t get No. 85. Maybe change his name again?

Ochocinco is the guy who has staged elaborate end zone celebrations after scoring touchdowns … who last weekend kicked an extra point (because the Bengals’ kicker was hurt) and reminded everyone he’s a big soccer fan and suggested he should henceforth be known as Esteban Ochochinco … and, well, has done various nutty and entertaining stuff throughout his career.

The latest? Ochocinco has been fined cinco mil dollars ($5,000)  by the National Football League for wearing an orange chin strap in the Bengals’ last game. Instead of the mandated white.

That’s against the rules in the NFL. I mean, we can’t have guys wearing anything they want. Where would it end? With jerseys not tucked in?

The fine seems silly and excessive.

I love having Chad Ochocinco around. He brings comic relief to a league that takes itself far, far too seriously. He makes the Bengals interesting (as anyone who has watched the 2009 edition of the HBO reality show “Hard Knocks” can attest). And much of what he does is original. The end zone celebrations, and all.

Then again, I must concede I wouldn’t want Chad Ochocinco on my team. His flair for self-promotion can’t help but damage the team concept. And he also helps to make the Bengals seem like an even bigger joke than they are … which is fine from a thousand miles away but can be cancerous inside a locker room.

Yes, I admit it. My thinking is muddled and confused. Much like Ochocinco’s.

I want him around … just not on my own team.

I’m sure Ochocinco would understand.