 Johnson with theCincinnati Bengals in 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Wide receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1978-01-09)January 9, 1978 (age 47) Miami, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 192 lb (87 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| High school | Miami Beach Senior | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2001: 2nd round, 36th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Career CFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chad Ochocinco Johnson[1] (bornChad Javon Johnson, January 9, 1978),[2] known from 2008 to 2012 asChad Ochocinco,[3] is an American former professionalfootball player who was awide receiver for 11 seasons in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theSanta Monica Corsairs and theOregon State Beavers, and played for theCincinnati Bengals and theNew England Patriots during his tenure playing in the NFL. He was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the2001 NFL draft, and played for them for 10 seasons. Ochocinco, which means "eight five" in Spanish, was also his number. In 2011, Johnson was traded to the Patriots, for whom he played inSuper Bowl XLVI.
In 2012, Johnson played for theMiami Dolphins during preseason but was released following his arrest fordomestic violence. He played for theMontreal Alouettes of theCanadian Football League (CFL) from 2014 to 2015, and played one game in 2017 for the Mexican teamFundidores de Monterrey of theLiga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA). Johnson emerged as one of the NFL's most productive wide receivers of the 2000s and owns nearly every Bengals receiving record.
In April 2011,CNBC listed Johnson as number one on its list of "most influential athletes in social media".[4] Johnson was a six-timePro Bowler, was named to threeAll-Pro teams and was voted as the number one wide receiver on the Bengals 40th Anniversary team.[5]
Johnson was born inMiami, Florida.[6][7] He graduated fromMiami Beach Senior High School. Johnson briefly attendedLangston University. He did not play football at the school.[8]
In 1997, Johnson transferred toSanta Monica College, acommunity college inSanta Monica, California. While at Santa Monica College, he played with future NFL wide receiverSteve Smith.[9]
In 2000, Johnson transferred toOregon State University, after being aggressively recruited by coachDennis Erickson to play for theOSU team.[10][11] Alongside future Bengals teammateT. J. Houshmandzadeh,[12] he led his team to an 11–1 season and a 41–9 victory overNotre Dame in theFiesta Bowl that year.[13][14] Johnson also broke a school record for the longest touchdown reception with a 97-yard reception in a game againstStanford.[15] In his one season at the school, he played in 12 games and recorded 37 receptions for 886 yards and 8 touchdowns.
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 32 in (0.81 m) | 9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) | 4.57 s | 1.56 s | 2.65 s | 4.14 s | 7.51 s | 33 in (0.84 m) | 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) | ||
| All values fromNFL Combine[16] | ||||||||||||
TheCincinnati Bengals chose Johnson in the second round of the2001 NFL draft with the 36th overall pick.[17]
In Johnson's rookie year, he saw moderate playing time, catching 28 passes for 329 yards and one touchdown in the 2001 season.[18] In the 2002 season, Johnson had 69 receptions for 1,166 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.[19] In 2003, he set a Bengals franchise record by recording 1,355 receiving yards.[20][21] In 2004, he caught 95 passes for nine touchdowns and 1,274 yards, including 117 receiving yards in a 58–48 win against theCleveland Browns.[22]
Johnson surpassed his franchise record in 2005, recording 1,432 yards.[23] He led theAFC in receiving yards for four consecutive seasons, and he made the Pro Bowl five straight times from 2003 to 2007.[24]
During the2005 NFL season, Johnson announced that he would keep a checklist, titledwho Covered 85 in '05, that would evaluate thedefensive backs who successfully managed to cover him. On November 2, 2005,Marvin Lewis, the Bengals'head coach, replaced Johnson's list with another one titled,Did 85 do everything he could to lead his team to victory 11-6-05. The list, an obvious parody of the original, asked several questions regarding Johnson's performance both on and off the field. According to the Bengals' official website, the list was aimed to antagonize their divisional rival, theBaltimore Ravens, whom the Bengals would play in four days. Johnson was not pleased with the new list, as he had developed asuperstitious faith in the older list. He had a stellar performance during the game, prompting the return of the original list.[25]
In 2007,Degree andYahoo! created an online version of his checklist. The checklist allowed fans to vote for which NFLquarterback Johnson would like to play catch with the most. Every vote helped him raise money for his charity project,"Feed the Children".[26]
On April 20, 2006, Johnson signed an extension to his contract through 2011.[27]
During the first half of the2006 season, Johnson saw little activity. After being bogged down by an early injury, his productivity endured a sharp decline. During the first eight weeks of the 2006 season, Johnson caught two touchdown passes, while amassing 483 yards. However, after shaving hisMohawk and changing his mentality, he had a breakout game in a losing effort against theSan Diego Chargers. Johnson accumulated 260 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns, which broke the previous Bengals record for most receiving yards in a game.[28] He went on to amass 190 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a 31–16 win over theNew Orleans Saints in the following week.[29] This gave Johnson a then NFL record of 450 receiving yards in back-to-back games (to be surpassed byJosh Gordon of theCleveland Browns, who amassed 498 yards in consecutive games in 2013), breaking the previous record of 448 set bySan Francisco 49ers receiverJohn Taylor in 1989. In the following week, he gained 123 yards receiving, breaking the three-game receiving record since theNFL–AFL merger in 1970 and coming within 40 yards of the all-time record.[30]
Johnson finished the 2006 season with 87 receptions for a league leading 1,369 yards and seven touchdowns.[31][32] He was the first Bengal ever to lead the NFL in receiving yards.[33] Johnson and Houshmandzadeh also became the first Bengals teammates to each amass over 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.
In addition to being one of the most productive receivers in the NFL, Johnson was also one of the most popular in balloting for thePro Bowl. In the fan voting for the2006 game, he finished first in votes for wide receivers, and fourth overall with 987,650 total votes.[34] Johnson earned nationwide attention for his flamboyant attitude, which was often seen during his infamousend zonecelebrations after catchingtouchdown passes. In a list released in August 2006 byFox Sports listing the top 10 showboats in professional sports, Johnson topped the list.[35]
In the first game of the season, onMonday Night Football against theBaltimore Ravens, Johnson scored the game's first touchdown on a 39-yard pass fromCarson Palmer. Following the touchdown, he grabbed a jacket that resembles thePro Football Hall of Fame inductees' jacket that said, "Future H.O.F. 20??" Johnson finished the game with five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.[36] In the next game, against theCleveland Browns, he racked up 209 yards on 11 catches for two touchdowns in the 51–45 loss.[37] This gave Johnson a career total of 7,229 receiving yards, breaking the Bengals' franchise record previously held byIsaac Curtis. The very next game, against theSeattle Seahawks, he totaled nine receptions for 138 yards as the Bengals lost again.[38] Against theNew York Jets, in which the Bengals won 38–31, Johnson had three receptions for 102 yards and a rush for 15 yards.[39]
In the fourth quarter of the Bengals' week-nine loss to theBuffalo Bills, Johnson was rolled off the field on a stretcher, with a reported head injury. He dove out for a pass, with under a minute left in the 33–21 loss, and then was sandwiched byDonte Whitner andCoy Wire. Johnson was reported to be mobile at the hospital.[40] He finished the game with three catches for 48 yards. ACT scan performed to detect brain injury was negative, and Johnson did not miss any games from the injury.
Over his next two games, Johnson did not score any touchdowns or gain more than 86 yards, but he had a breakout performance in a November 25 win over theTennessee Titans, catching a career-high 12 passes for 103 yards and three touchdowns. This gave Johnson over 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth consecutive season, and moved him pastCarl Pickens as the Bengals all-time leader in receptions.
By week 15, Johnson and Houshmandzadeh both gained over 1,000 receiving yards for the second year in a row. However, a loss to theSan Francisco 49ers that week ensured the team would finish the year with their first losing season since 2002. In the Bengals' season finale, Johnson had four catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns in a win over theMiami Dolphins, giving him 93 receptions for 1,440 yards and 8 touchdowns on the season.
Johnson's 1,440 yards set a new Bengals' franchise record, breaking his own record of 1,432 in 2005. It was the third time that Johnson finished a season with a new Bengals record for receiving yards. His yardage was third most in the NFL, his receptions were 12th most, and his touchdowns were tied for 15th most in the league.
Johnson was passed up for the2008 Pro Bowl team, which instead selected his teammateT. J. Houshmandzadeh. Due to injury, however,Patriots' receiverRandy Moss was forced to withdraw from the Pro Bowl, and Johnson was selected as his replacement. The selection marked his fifth consecutivePro Bowl selection. Johnson and Houshmandzadeh became the first pair of Bengals receivers to make the Pro Bowl in the same year.[41]
On January 13, 2008, Johnson was a guest on ESPN'sMike & Mike radio show. During the interview, he addressed how the media and team treated him during the 2007 season, saying, "I was labeled selfish and a cancer, and it hurt...Fingers were pointed at me this year. If the team and the organization wants to further itself (make the playoffs), I think you need to get rid of the problem...It hurt me. To do me that way and not to have my back. Things were said, and nobody came to my defense." However, head coachMarvin Lewis commented on the issue by saying that the Bengals would not be trading Johnson. "He is a Cincinnati Bengal for quite a while," Lewis said.[42]
On February 4, ESPN'sChris Mortensen reported that Johnson felt betrayed by Lewis and was privately threatening to sit out the 2008 season, though his agentDrew Rosenhaus denied it.[43] When asked about trade rumors, Johnson said "Call me, Dan," referring to Redskins' ownerDaniel Snyder,[44] On April 22, theCincinnati Bengals declined aWashington Redskins trade for Johnson involving a first round2008 selection and a2009 selection.[45] and onNFL Network'sNFL Total Access, Johnson said he did not want a pay raise from the Bengals, but desired a "change of scenery".[46] Lewis stated he had not spoken to Johnson since the last regular season game, and reiterated his lack of interest in a trade. After several weeks of silence, in April, Johnson again announced he wanted to be traded, and caused a rift with teammates by refusing to attend off-season workout programs and practices.[47][48][49] Nine days before the opening of the Bengals' mandatory minicamp on June 12, Johnson toldESPN The Magazine that "of course I (will be)" attending,[50] confirmed by his agent.[51] After ankle surgery on June 18, Johnson returned to full practice in August.[52] He suffered a partially tornlabrum in the first preseason game on August 17, but decided to play the entire season with the injury.[53][54]
On August 29, Johnson legally changed his last name to Ochocinco.
The Bengals began the season 0–8, withCarson Palmer forced out for the season with an injury incurred early in the campaign and Johnson experiencing his worst statistical season of his career to date.[55] Johnson totaled 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the first four games of the season, unable to gain more than 37 yards receiving in any of the contests. Following a dismal performance (three receptions for 43 yards) against theDallas Cowboys in a loss, Johnson had consecutive games with 50-yard receiving totals (57 against theNew York Giants and 52 against thePittsburgh Steelers). Johnson then had 44 yards on five receptions in a loss to theHouston Texans.
However, the Bengals won their first game of the season, against theJacksonville Jaguars, in week 9 by a score of 21–19. In that game, Johnson had two touchdowns, which marked the first multi-touchdown game of the season for Johnson.[56]
Johnson finished the season with 53 catches for 540 yards and four touchdowns — his worst statistical season since his rookie campaign.[57]
Before the start of the 2009 season, thePhiladelphia Eagles andNew York Giants expressed interest in Johnson if he were to be placed on the market after he missed voluntary team offseason workouts.[58] In July 2009, Johnson said that he would useTwitter during games, but the NFL banned it.[59] In the August 20 preseason game against theNew England Patriots, Johnson took over placekicking duties for the injuredShayne Graham. He kicked off and made an extra point in the game, which ended up deciding the Bengals' 7–6 win.
During the season, Johnson expressed remorse for the developments in the 2008 season and attempted to make it up to the fans in Cincinnati through numerous actions. Many of those involved public appearances (usually involving the publication of his autobiography) and also by inviting Bengals fans to dinner and movie showings through his Twitter account, gatherings for which he picked up the tab. Many of the events were featured on the Bengals' official website.
Johnson went on to record his seventh career 1,000 yard season, catching 72 passes for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns.[60] He finished the season just 48 yards short of the 10,000 career receiving yards milestone and with 62 career touchdown catches, just one short of the franchise record held byCarl Pickens.
On January 15, Johnson was announced as aPro Bowl selection to replace Patriots receiverWes Welker, who was injured in the final week of the regular season.[61] It was Johnson's sixth Pro Bowl selection, tyingLemar Parrish for the second highest total in franchise history.
Johnson opened up the 2010 season with 12 receptions for 159 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' opening day loss to thePatriots.[62] In doing so, he tied the franchise record for touchdown catches (which he later surpassed) and became the sixth player in NFL history to amass 10,000 receiving yards with one team. The following week, Johnson became the 30th player in NFL history to surpass 700 career receptions, catching four passes for 44 yards in a 15–10 win.
On July 28, 2011, theNew England Patriots acquired Johnson in a trade with Cincinnati after he restructured a three-year contract for $6.35 million. The Patriots traded two draft picks, a fifth round pick in 2012 and a sixth round pick in 2013.[63]
Johnson had statistically the least productive season of his career, catching 15 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown, all career lows.[64] He was inactive for the AFC Championship game against theBaltimore Ravens after reportedly attending his father's funeral.[65] Johnson played in his firstSuper Bowl, catching one pass for 21 yards. His 21-yard reception was the longest pass completion for the Patriots in that Super Bowl. The Patriots lost to theNew York Giants 21–17 inSuper Bowl XLVI.[66]
On June 7, 2012, Johnson was released by the Patriots.[67]
Johnson, a Miami native, signed with theMiami Dolphins on June 11, 2012.[68] On July 24, Johnson legally changed his last name from Ochocinco back to Johnson.[69]
The Dolphins released Johnson on August 12 following hisarrest the previous night.[70] The meeting in which head coachJoe Philbin notified Johnson of his release from the Dolphins was shown in the episode ofHBO'sHard Knocks that originally aired on August 14.[71]
Johnson signed a two-year deal with theMontreal Alouettes of theCanadian Football League on April 17, 2014.[72] During the 2014 CFL season, Johnson appeared in only five regular season games, mostly due to nagging injuries. He missed two playoff games to address a personal family matter in Florida. In total, he accumulated seven receptions for 151 yards, and scored one touchdown. Johnson was suspended by the Alouettes after he failed to report for mandatory training camp in the spring of 2015. He remained suspended through the2015 CFL season.[73] Following the season, Johnson was not offered a new contract by the Alouettes and became a free agent on February 9, 2016.[74]
In March 2017, theLiga de Fútbol Americano Profesional de México announced that Johnson would play one game for theFundidores de Monterrey.[75] On April 2, 2017, he caught three passes, including a 41-yard touchdown reception, to help Monterrey defeat theDinos de Saltillo, 14–6.[76][77]
In March 2016, Johnson tweeted to theCleveland Browns head coach, who was also his former wide receivers coach with the Bengals,Hue Jackson, to ask if he would let Johnson work with the receivers during training camp. In July 2016, Jackson agreed to have Johnson work as a guest instructor for the Browns.[78] Jackson admitted that Johnson wants to "try his hand" at coaching.[79]
He is currently a panelist on the weekly highlight showInside the NFL, a role he has held since the show moved toThe CW in 2023. He also co-hosts the podcastNightcap alongsideShannon Sharpe. In December 2024, he served as "ratings adjuster" for the EA SportsMadden broadcast of an NFL game.[80]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2001 | CIN | 12 | 3 | 28 | 329 | 11.9 | 28 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | CIN | 16 | 14 | 69 | 1,166 | 16.9 | 72 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | CIN | 16 | 14 | 90 | 1,355 | 15.1 | 82 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | CIN | 16 | 16 | 95 | 1,274 | 13.4 | 53 | 9 | 4 | 39 | 9.8 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 | CIN | 16 | 16 | 97 | 1,432 | 14.8 | 70 | 9 | 5 | 33 | 6.6 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | CIN | 16 | 16 | 87 | 1,369 | 15.7 | 74 | 7 | 6 | 24 | 4.0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2007 | CIN | 16 | 16 | 93 | 1,440 | 15.5 | 70 | 8 | 6 | 47 | 7.8 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 | CIN | 13 | 10 | 53 | 540 | 10.2 | 26 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | CIN | 16 | 15 | 72 | 1,047 | 14.5 | 50 | 9 | 3 | 32 | 10.7 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2010 | CIN | 14 | 12 | 67 | 831 | 12.4 | 42 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | NE | 16 | 3 | 15 | 276 | 18.4 | 53 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 167 | 135 | 766 | 11,059 | 14.4 | 82 | 67 | 24 | 175 | 7.3 | 26 | 0 | 7 | 4 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2005 | CIN | 1 | 1 | 4 | 59 | 14.8 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | CIN | 1 | 1 | 2 | 28 | 14.0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | NE | 2 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 21.0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 2 | 7 | 108 | 15.4 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Year | Team | GP | Receiving | Fumbles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |||
| 2014 | MTL | 5 | 7 | 151 | 21.6 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | MTL | Suspended | |||||||
| Total | 5 | 7 | 151 | 21.6 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Due to the2011 NFL Lockout, on March 16, 2011, Ochocinco announced he would have a four-day trial forSporting Kansas City ofMajor League Soccer. Ochocinco was asoccer player in his youth and has stated he is an avid fan of the sport. His trial began on March 23, 2011.[82] On March 25, he was asked to play in areserve game. On March 29, he was not offered a contract by the team but was offered the chance to train with the reserve side to stay in shape.[83]
In 2018, Johnson returned to soccer, signing for then-National Premier Soccer League sideBoca Raton FC in October after a period of training. He made his debut for the club, playing as aforward, in a 1–0 win over Himmarshee FC.[84][85] He scored his first goal for the club on October 20, 2018, netting a penalty in a 2–0 win over FC Boca Predators.[86]
On March 12, 2019, Johnson re-signed with Boca Raton FC for the2019 Spring UPSL season after the team joined theUnited Premier Soccer League.[87] On May 24, 2019, Johnson scored both goals in a 2–1 regular season win over the Palm Beach Breakers.[88] Boca Raton FC would go on to win the South Florida Championship of the UPSL.
Johnson was an analyst forFox Sports during the2022 FIFA World Cup.
In 2023, he took part inThe Soccer Tournament, playing forNati SC.[89]
Ochocinco was featured in a nationalpistachio commercial in winter 2010 and spring 2011.[90]
He was featured in the R&B singerMonica's video "Everything to Me".
Chad Ochocinco voiced himself and his likeness was featured on an episode ofSquidbillies, titled "Lean Green Touchdown Makifying Machine" (Season 5, Episode 9).
He appears on the cover ofEA's 2006 video gameNFL Street 3. He is the main adversary in the game, and narrates the tutorials withClinton Portis andByron Leftwich.[91]
Ochocinco appeared naked, outside of a strategically placed football, inPETA's "Ink Not Mink" ad campaign, which encourages people to choose tattoos over wearing animal fur.[92] Johnson appeared with his mother Paula on the WeTV reality show "Marriage Bootcamp Reality Stars: Family Edition." The show, which premiered April 28, 2017, deals with unconventional therapy.
On May 3, 2021, Johnson was added to the undercard for theFloyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Logan Paul fight card[93] in a fight against Brian Maxwell.[94] The fight completed the four two-minute rounds for which it was scheduled. Since the fight was an exhibition fight and neither fighter was knocked out and no score card was kept, no winner was declared.
In October 2024, Johnson announced that he would be fighting formerPittsburgh Steelers starJames Harrison in an exhibition mixed martial arts fight in February 2025.[95]
From July 7, 2025 - July 9, 2025 Johnson hosted the first annual Wideout Workshop event where receivers would work with Johnson on their craft to become better players. Participants includedRobbie Chosen,K.J. Osborn,Jaxon Smith-Njigba,Ja’Marr Chase,Jerry Jeudy,Jayden Reed,Elijah Moore,Xavier Restrepo,Courtland Sutton,Tank Dell,Tee Higgins,Tyreek Hill andMike Strachan.[96][97]
An iPhone game calledMad Chad was designed by both Johnson andRockLive and released on November 18, 2010.[98] It was featured oniTunes and was a popular downloaded app in 2010.
On March 1, 2010, it was announced that Johnson would be a contestant onDancing with the Stars for thetenth season. He was paired with two-time championCheryl Burke. The season premiere was on Monday, March 22, 2010.[99]He was eliminated from the show as one of the final four competitors on May 18, 2010, after receiving the lowest judges' score and number of votes. He was the 100th contestant to be eliminated in the show's history.[100]
Johnson had his own segment onSports Soup titled "Child, Please".[101]
During the 2010-2011 NFL season, he and teammateTerrell Owens teamed up for a talk show,The T. Ocho Show onVersus, talking football, basketball, andpop culture. The show was cancelled in 2011 as a result ofComcast's plans to re-launch Versus as anNBC Sports-branded service, as its new staff did not feel that the show would fit with the network's new goals.[102]
In 2010, Johnson was featured on his ownreality television dating show calledOchocinco: The Ultimate Catch onVH1.[103] Aspiring singer-songwriter Rubi Pazmino won the show. Fellow NFL wide receiversTerrell Owens andBernard Berrian were occasionally featured on the show, advising Johnson throughout the process.
Ochocinco was featured as the guest host ofWWE Raw on September 13, 2010.[104]
In May, Ochocinco announced via hisTwitter account that he would attempt to participate in aPBR event inDuluth, Georgia.[105] He rode the bull Deja Blue,[106] which weighs 1,500 pounds, and lasted 1.5 seconds during the intermission of May 14, 2011's Professional Bull Riders event.
In June 2011, Ochocinco filmed a cameo role as himself for the 2012 filmAmerican Reunion.[107][108] Ochocinco also appeared as a former captain of the BMS Goats on the Season 3 premiere of the television showBlue Mountain State and as himself on the Season 2 premiere of the television showThe League.[109] He was also featured in the seriesThe Game as himself.
Ochocinco is widely known for his frugality and focus on financial responsibility. For the first two years of Johnson's tenure with the Bengals, he lived at the Bengals' stadiumPaycor Stadium, utilizing the variety of on-site amenities the team provided. When new coach Marvin Lewis took over in Johnson's third season, Lewis told him to find his own space.[110][111] Johnson went viral onShannon Sharpe's podcastClub Shay Shay in 2023 for his decision to useSpirit Airlines over using a private jet, wearing jewelry fromClaire's, and using McDonald's as a first date location.[112]
Johnson has six children.[113] His son, Chad Jr., is a wide receiver atArizona State University.[114] His cousin,Brandon Johnson is a wide receiver for thePittsburgh Steelers.[115]
Johnson became engaged in January 2023.[116] He and his fiancé have a daughter who was born in January 2022.[117]
In May 2007, Johnson was sued for allegedly not giving away aLexus that was supposed to be raffled off. The suit added two plaintiffs who claimed that they had won trips from Johnson (one toEurope, the other toHawaii), that Johnson never awarded.[118]
Johnson has interests in sports outside of football. In June 2007, he footraced against aThoroughbredracehorse over afurlong (220 yards / 200 meters) forcharity; Johnson, given a 110-yard (100 m) head start, beat the horse by twelvelengths.[119] He is aNapoli supporter. Johnson constantly shows his support for several soccer teams on his officialTwitter account.[120] In March 2015, Johnson garnered attention as he was involved in a tweeting exchange with theBuffalo Sabres of theNHL regarding the acquisition ofChad Johnson, the goaltender of the same name.[121]
Johnson is an avid player of theFIFA video game series, frequently referring to himself as "FIFA king". He also frequently accepts challenges from fans on Twitter and even occasionally, when traveling, will go over to people's houses and play them.[122]
On October 25, 2006, in honor ofHispanic Heritage Month, Johnson, whosejersey number was "85", announced that he would prefer to be called "Ocho Cinco," which is "eight five" inSpanish ("Eighty-five" would be "ochenta y cinco").[123] During warm-ups for the October 29, 2006, game against theAtlanta Falcons, the back of his jersey read "Ocho Cinco" instead of "C. Johnson." QuarterbackCarson Palmer ripped the label off the jersey to reveal the usual "C. Johnson."[124] According to ESPN, Johnson was fined $5,000 for the stunt despite the fact that he did not wear the "Ocho Cinco" name tag during the game.[125]
Johnson legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ochocinco on August 29, 2008.[126] The Cincinnati Bengals decided to allow him to have it on the back of his jersey,[127] though Ochocinco continued to wear his old "C. Johnson" jersey during the 2008 football season[128] because of contractual obligations withReebok. He played with "OCHOCINCO" on the back of his jersey from the 2009 season to the 2011 season.[129] He wanted it to read "OCHO CINCO" but the NFL would only allow his legal name as spelled on his name change paperwork.[130]
Ochocinco announced on his live USTREAM broadcast in 2009 that he would be legally changing his last name to "Hachi Go" in 2010. He also held up a customized Cincinnati Bengals jersey with the last name "Hachi Go" on the back. Just as the words Ocho Cinco translate to 8 and 5 in Spanish, the words Hachi Go (八五) translate to 8 and 5 in Japanese.[131] He did not go through with the name change.
On January 25, 2011, Ochocinco told an ESPN reporter that he would be changing his last name back to Johnson,[132] however on June 30, 2011, Ochocinco told an ESPN reporter that because of financial issues he would keep his name as Chad Ochocinco and not go back to Johnson.[133]
On July 23, 2012, after Ochocinco's move to the Miami Dolphins, he legally changed his name back to Chad Johnson at a Broward County courthouse because he "wanted to reconnect with his former self."[134]
On November 16, 2010, Ochocinco proposed toBasketball Wives starEvelyn Lozada, whom he had been dating since earlier in the year.[135]
Johnson and Lozada married on July 4, 2012. The day before the wedding, a fan reached out to Johnson onTwitter for prayers after losing her husband the previous month. Johnson, in return, invited her on an all-expenses-paid trip to the wedding.[136]
On August 11, 2012, Johnson was arrested on a charge of domestic battery according to theDavie, Florida police.[137][138] Johnson allegedly headbutted Lozada following an argument. Johnson was released the following afternoon on $2,500 bond.[139] Later that day, he was released by theMiami Dolphins.[140][141] Three days later, Lozada filed for divorce claiming that her marriage was "irretrievably broken."[142] The divorce was finalized on September 19, 2012.[143] On September 21, 2012, Johnson entered a plea of no contest to misdemeanor domestic battery, avoiding jail time in an agreement with prosecutors and Lozada.[144] Johnson received a year of probation.[145]
A warrant was issued for Johnson's arrest for allegedly violating the terms of his probation on May 7, 2013.[146] According to the Broward County Sheriff's Office, Johnson failed to meet with probation specialists on February 15 and March 15 and failed to show proof of enrollment and completion of a batterers intervention program. On May 20, Johnson turned himself in and was released later in the day after posting a $1,000 bond.[147] On June 10, 2013, Johnson was sentenced to thirty days in jail for violating his probation.[148] Although a plea deal that called for no jail time was reached, Judge Kathleen McHugh rejected it after Johnson playfully slapped his male attorney on the buttocks in court. Despite Johnson having apologized, the judge said that Johnson was not taking things seriously enough. In addition to the jail sentence, his probation was extended for three months through December and he was required to perform 25 hours of community service and to undergo two counseling sessions per week. Johnson was released from jail after apologizing to the court on June 17.[149]
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