CINCINNATI — The National Football League has fined wide receiver Chad Ochocinco $25,000 for the timing of his tweets.

The league said Tuesday that Ochocinco’s messages appeared on his Twitter page during a prohibited time at the Cincinnati Bengals versus Philadelphia Eagles preseason game on Friday night. It said the Bengal player violated policies on electronic device possession and posting of social media messages.

The use of cell phones, computers or other electronic equipment by players and coaches is prohibited from 90 minutes before kickoff through the end of the game.

The NFL’s statement said Ochocinco’s messages on the social media site showed up at 6:50 p.m. and 9:53 p.m. Kickoff was 8:07.

Ochocinco apologized — how else? — through Twitter.

“I won’t do it again,” he tweeted.

Bengals players were off Tuesday.