Chad Johnson

Chad Javon Johnson (born January 9, 1978), formerly Chad Ochocinco, is a gridiron football wide receiver for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for both Santa Monica College and Oregon State University. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft, and played for the Bengals for ten seasons. In 2011, Johnson played for the New England Patriots with whom he played in Super Bowl XLVI. In 2012, Johnson played for the Miami Dolphins during preseason but was released following his arrest for domestic violence.

In April 2011, CNBC listed the then-Ochocinco as No. 1 on its list of "Most Influential Athletes In Social Media." Johnson is a six-time NFL Pro Bowler, was named to four All-Pro teams, and was voted as the number one wide receiver on the Bengals 40th Anniversary team.

Early life and college career

Johnson was born in Miami, Florida. After graduating from Miami Beach Senior High School in 1997, Johnson attended Langston University but did not play football. In 1997 he transferred to Santa Monica College, a community college in Santa Monica, California. In 2000, he transferred to Oregon State University, after being aggressively recruited by coach Dennis Erickson to play for the Oregon State Beavers football team. Alongside future Bengals teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh, he led his team to an 11–1 season and a victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl that year. He also broke a school record for the longest touchdown reception with a 97-yard reception in a game against Stanford University.