Our faves are dropping like flies as Chad Ochocinco’s season ended early on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”


 
In what had to be one of the toughest-to-call eliminations this season Chad Ochocinco and Erin Andrews wound up in the bottom two last night. Both fierce contenders for the magnificent mirrorball trophy, Chad and Erin each stepped up their game on a weekly basis to earn their way to the final four.


 
This was Chad’s second straight week in the bottom two, but Erin has also faced elimination this season. And each of them turned in pretty solid performance last night. The only Erin, a sportscaster for ESPN, had over the NFL star was a higher score from the judges. However, that isn’t always enough to keep a star in step “DWTS.”

 
“Under normal circumstances, normal season, both of these couples would be in the finals,” said Judge Len Goodman. “This is the highest standard we have ever had, and no is clearly the winner.”  

 
With the finals just one week away, though, a great dancer was going to have to go home. Unfortunately, Chad was pulled from the game last night. Like any great sport, he took the loss in stride and focused on what he gained from his time on “DWTS.”

 
“This was awesome,” Chad said during his exit speech. “I enjoyed the journey, I met some wonderful people, I got some great criticism. That’s only made me stronger.”
 
“In my eyes, really, I’ve already won,” he added before taking his partner Cheryl Burke for a final lap around the dance floor.


-- Sonya Eskridge