Windsor Tomcats

Assoc Press is reporting that Rocky Comartin has taken the initial steps to legally change his last name to Ocho Uno. When questioned after the Outdoor Classic game in late April about the rumored name change, number 81 said, “I don’t know anything about a name change.” My name is Rocky Comartin.” Yet, the rumor about the blue-liner swirls through Tomcat land.

Could Rocky, seen here battling against Doc, really be changing his name??

Most within the Tomcat Organization are familiar with number 81’s nickname Rocky, ceremoniously given to him when he joined the Tomcats in the fall of 2003. At the time, he was given the number 22. However, to pay homage to his high school football days, Rocky asked for a number change during the 2006 season. Interestingly enough, that same year, an NFL star with the same first name, Chad Johnson, wore a jersey that said “Ocho Cinco” above his number 85. Subsequently, the NFL fined the wide receiver for altering his jersey. Since then, Ocho Cinco has become synonymous with Chad Johnson and since the NFL only allows legal last names to be written on jerseys, Chad Johnson changed his name to Ocho Cinco in 2008. The extra media attention garnered from this event drove Ocho Cinco jersey sales through the roof and made Chad Ocho Cinco a house hold name. Could Rocky Comartin be pulling the same publicity stunt? This seems contradictory to the usually quiet and low-key demeanor of Rocky. However, he was embroiled in a stick throwing incident a couple of seasons back, and it is a contract year for him. Maybe we are seeing a new Rocky emerge?

Since players split jersey revenue with the Tomcats organization, it might be a lucrative move for Rocky. The name change may be a strategy for Rocky to get the money he feels he deserves – you know Lovie, Sunny, Falcon or Crow type dough. So, will Rocky change his name? Will he bring an Ocho Uno jersey to a store near you? And will fans buy the new jersey? Only time will tell.

For the record, here are some contract details for other notable Tomcats…

Player                                               Annual Salary

Stevo                                               $9,000,000
Falcon                                            $8,850,000
Lovie                                               $8,700,000
Crow                                                $8,700,000
Sunny                                             $8,600,000
Cribz                                               $8,500,000
Junior                                            $8,100,000 (took cut to sign Lovie)
Hollywood                                   $8,150,000
Sparky                                            $8,000,000
Snowpants                                    $350,000 (bulk of his salary is paid in lap dances at Leopard’s)