Donte Whitner keeping last name

BEREA, Ohio -- There will be no Donte Hitner in the NFL.

After pondering a name change, Cleveland Browns safety Donte Whitner has decided to keep his name.

What dissuaded him was the notion of having to change all his legal documents, from car titles to mortgages to credit cards.

"All for one letter change?" Whitner said Wednesday at the Browns' second day of minicamp. "I'd rather not."

Whitner, signed from the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent, had considered the name change to further his image as a big hitter. But

Whitner talked to Chad Johnson, who for a brief time became Chad Ochocinco. Johnson explained the complications of a name change.

"I think the majority of people will call me 'Hitner,' regardless," Whitner said.

Whitner smiled, though, at the thought he could simply tell people that the 'w' in his last name is silent (a la wreck and wrinkle).

"I can do that?" he said with a chuckle. "Maybe I'll do that then."