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Chad Johnson, also known as Chad Ochocinco, is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. Johnson was born in Miami, Florida, and attended Miami Beach Senior High School, where he played football and ran track. He went on to attend Santa Monica College and Oregon State University before being
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Chad Johnson, also known as Chad Ochocinco, is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. Johnson was born in Miami, Florida, and attended Miami Beach Senior High School, where he played football and ran track. He went on to attend Santa Monica College and Oregon State University before being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Johnson quickly established himself as one of the league's top wide receivers, earning six Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro honors during his career. He was known for his flashy personality and on-field celebrations, often wearing colorful outfits and performing elaborate dances after scoring touchdowns. Johnson was also a skilled route-runner and had excellent hands, finishing his career with over 11,000 receiving yards and 67 touchdowns.
In addition to his success on the field, Johnson was also known for his off-field antics and outspoken personality. He legally changed his last name to Ochocinco in 2008, a reference to his jersey number 85, and frequently engaged with fans and media on social media. Johnson also appeared on several reality TV shows, including Dancing with the Stars and The Ultimate Catch.
Despite his talent and popularity, Johnson's career was not without controversy. He was fined multiple times by the NFL for excessive celebrations and other infractions, and was arrested several times for domestic violence and other offenses. Johnson's behavior eventually led to his release from the Bengals in 2011, and he spent the final years of his career with the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins before retiring in 2012.
Since retiring from football, Johnson has remained active in the sports world, working as a commentator and analyst for various networks and hosting his own podcast. He has also continued to engage with fans on social media and has been involved in various charitable endeavors. Despite his ups and downs, Johnson remains one of the most memorable and entertaining players in NFL history.
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This show hits a little differently with us as Chad is someone who was our...
Is Chad Johnson the Most Lovable Guy? / This show hits a little differently with us as Chad is someone who was our first guest we had on The Pivot when we started but more than that, he’s our brother, friend and a supporter since day one. Chad has walked the path with us first on the field through the wins and losses of football and then life after as we experienced the highs & lows and have all been tested at our peeks as humans. This conversation covers growth, family, careers and how things work out the way they are supposed to be even when they seem to be off track at first.
The vulnerability and raw emotion shares between Chad, Fred, Ryan and Channing resonates with us all as the men talk about how life humbles them when they least expect it and how the success they achieve now is often tested with more freedom and opportunities. The guys commend Chad that through his career and life he’s managed to uphold a positive persona and be one of the most liked people in sports.
Ryan starts the conversation bringing up the recent Keith Lee situation and how the first time he saw the majority of folks mad at Chad and the guys get into the story as Chad explains his perspective and why he said and felt what he did. Chad understands how difficult it is for men and women of culture to succeed and how any little thing can knock them down to a point where some can’t recover and he always tries to come from a place of building up not tearing down.
Talking about new age of coaching with Antonio Pierce’s role with the Raiders and how the post locker room celebrations shocked some, the guys discuss it was more about the team bond and fresh start than the actuality of winning a game. Switching over to talk about Deion and how the hype has slowly quieted as Colorado has not been winning and so many people are quick to call Deion a failure and the guys discuss why he could never been considered one and the impact he’s making with young people far surpasses his persona on and off the field.
Chad opens up about how he had to lose the things he loved most in order to understand he may be moving the wrong way and that when the train falls off the track it’s a humbling process but a necessary one. Having football end before Chad was ready to hang up his cleats has always been a tough point in his life but he attributes the events surrounding that time as his biggest teaching moment to get discipline back in his life.