CINCINNATI (AP) - Chad Ochocinco, meet the speaker of the U.S. House. On Twitter, of course.
The New England Patriots receiver known for prolific social media interactions tuned in to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, and he soon was wondering about the unsmiling man sitting behind the Democratic president. Informed by a friend it was Republican Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, the former Cincinnati Bengal decided to reach out to him on Twitter, asking Tuesday night if he was "OK."
Apparently still concerned Wednesday, Ochocinco asked Boehner in another message if he was in better spirits, and told him: "If all else seems bad in life, just remember I love you kind sir."
Boehner thanked Ochocinco in a tweet and wished him good luck in the Super Bowl. Ochocinco said Thursday the two exchanged contact information and made plans to meet after the Patriots' season is over.
New England plays the New York Giants for the National Football League championship on Feb. 5.
"We'll see you in the playoffs next year," Boehner added, using "Bengals" and their fans' cheer "WhoDey" to tag his response on Twitter.
Boehner's Twitter feed later included a photo of him at his desk with a Bengals helmet in the foreground.
In the Patriots locker room in Foxborough, Mass., Ochocinco asked a reporter questions about Boehner's place in the presidential line of succession. The House speaker is second in line, after the vice president.
"He's a pretty powerful man, then," the football player said. "For him to contact me back, it's awesome."
Ochocinco has more than 3.1 million Twitter followers, including President Felipe Calderon of Mexico.
"Me and the president of Mexico tweet back all the time," Ochocinco said. "That's two powerful people."
Contact this reporter at http://www.twitter.com/dansewell
AP Sports Writer Jimmy Golen in Foxborough, Mass., contributed to this report.