Chad Johnson, also known by his former jersey number nickname Chad Ochocinco Johnson, has accumulated a net worth estimated around $15 million.
This wealth stems from his successful career in the National Football League (NFL) where he played for 11 seasons.
During his time on the field, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals, he earned a hefty sum – roughly $46.68 million.
His NFL career wasn’t the only source of income though.
Johnson’s flamboyant personality and on-field celebrations made him a recognizable figure, which led to endorsement deals that further bolstered his net worth.
Beyond endorsements, he has also dabbled in reality TV and other ventures, adding to his overall financial picture.
It’s important to note that while he’s achieved financial success, his career wasn’t without controversy, but his hustle and talent have undeniably secured him a solid financial standing.
Salary and contracts
Johnson earned a significant amount of money during his NFL career as a wide receiver.
Throughout his 11 seasons, he accumulated a total of $46.6 million.
His contracts can be broken down into three main phases.
Early on, as a rookie with the Cincinnati Bengals, he signed a standard four-year deal worth $3.1 million.
This was typical for unproven players, with an average annual salary of around $772,875.
However, Johnson quickly established himself as a star.
He secured a much more lucrative five-year contract extension with the Bengals.
This contract was worth a total of $27.1 million, with a much higher average annual salary of over $5.4 million. This reflected his growing value to the team.
In the later part of his career, Johnson moved to other teams like the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.
The contracts became shorter but still carried significant value.
For instance, his one-year deal with the Dolphins included a base salary of $925,000, but there were also potential incentives that could have pushed the total value close to $2 million.
His final NFL contract, with the Patriots, was for three years and totaled nearly $12 million.
Business ventures
Beyond his impressive football career, Johnson has emerged as a successful entrepreneur.
He’s channeled his charisma and business savvy into various ventures.
One key area is the restaurant industry. He co-founded Ocho Cinco Burger & Fries, a restaurant chain capitalizing on his famous jersey number 85.
This project allows him to stay connected to fans while offering delicious food options.
Johnson has also explored the world of entertainment.
He’s appeared on reality TV shows, showcasing his personality and entrepreneurial spirit.
This exposure broadens his brand and opens doors to potential business collaborations.
Additionally, he’s involved in broadcasting, providing sports commentary.
This leverages his football knowledge and keeps him engaged in the sport he excelled in.
Philanthropic works
Johnson isn’t just a legendary NFL wide receiver with eye-catching celebrations.
Beyond the touchdowns, he has a dedicated side focused on giving back.
Johnson’s philanthropic efforts involve multiple causes, particularly those that benefit children and address hunger.
One initiative he has undertaken is the Chad for Charities bus tour.
This tour involved traveling to different cities and stopping at organizations like food banks and children’s hospitals.
Johnson shouldered the costs for participants on the buses, using the tour to raise awareness for these important causes while directly supporting them.
His partnership with Degree Men on their Charity Challenge further highlighted his commitment to helping children, with the campaign focusing on supporting the organization Feed The Children.
These examples showcase Johnson’s dedication to philanthropy.
While the details of all his charitable acts may not be public knowledge, it’s clear that he uses his platform and resources to give back to the community, particularly when it comes to supporting the well-being of children and fighting hunger.
College career
Johnson’s path to NFL stardom wasn’t linear.
After high school, he started at Santa Monica College, a junior college in California, playing football for three seasons.
While there, he honed his skills and garnered attention. He then transferred to Oregon State University for his senior year.
At Oregon State, Johnson’s talent truly blossomed. He wasn’t alone – his teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who would later join him on the Cincinnati Bengals, was another star receiver.
Together, they were a dynamic duo that led the Beavers to an impressive 11-1 season.
That year, they capped things off with a dominating victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl by a score of 41-9.
Johnson’s individual performance at Oregon State was also noteworthy.
He set a school record for the longest touchdown reception with a dazzling 97-yard grab against Stanford.
In total, during his single season with the Beavers, he played in 12 games, reeling in 37 receptions for a staggering 886 yards and 8 touchdowns.
This impressive showing helped solidify his status as a top NFL prospect, paving the way for him to be drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001.
NFL career
Johnson had a path to the NFL that wasn’t entirely typical.
Drafted in the second round (36th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001, he wasn’t a top pick despite his talent.
While he played college ball for Santa Monica College and Oregon State University, his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine wasn’t stellar, with a slower than expected 40-yard dash time.
However, the Bengals saw potential in his skills and took a chance on him.
That chance paid off in a big way. Johnson quickly blossomed into one of the league’s most exciting wide receivers.
He wasn’t just a gifted athlete with great hands, he brought a flamboyant personality to the game.
Johnson’s celebrations were legendary, and he wasn’t afraid to engage with fans and even opponents in playful trash talk.
But it was his on-field dominance that truly defined him.
He became a fixture for the Bengals, racking up an impressive resume.
Over his 10 seasons with Cincinnati, Johnson reeled in 751 catches for 10,783 yards and 66 touchdowns, all franchise records that still stand today.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl an impressive six times and earned All-Pro honors four times.
In 2011, Johnson’s time with the Bengals came to an end. He was traded to the New England Patriots, a team known for its more stoic approach.
While he brought his signature energy to the team, his production dipped significantly.
Johnson only played one season in New England before brief stints with the Miami Dolphins, the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, and the Fundidores de Monterrey in Mexico.
Johnson’s NFL career wasn’t the longest, lasting 11 seasons, but his impact was undeniable.
He left his mark on the Bengals franchise record book, entertained fans with his flamboyant personality, and established himself as one of the best wide receivers of his era.
Personal life
Johnson is engaged fiancée is Sharelle Rosado.
The couple connected through Instagram in 2020 and quickly went public with their relationship.
They’ve been very open about their love for each other on social media.
Their relationship took a big step forward in January 2022 when they welcomed their daughter, Serenity, into the world.
Then, in January 2023, Chad surprised Sharelle with a romantic proposal.
She said yes, and they’ve been planning their wedding ever since.
Sharelle is a successful real estate agent who also appeared on the Netflix reality show, Selling Tampa.
So, while Chad might not technically be considered someone’s “girlfriend” in the traditional sense, he’s definitely committed to building a future with his fiancee Sharelle.
Name change
Originally known as Chad Johnson, the former wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, legally changed his last name to “Ochocinco” in 2008.
This move wasn’t entirely serious at first.
It stemmed from a playful stunt during Hispanic Heritage Month in the NFL.
Johnson had the equipment manager put “Ochocinco” (Spanish for “eight-five”) on his jersey, referencing his jersey number 85.
The league fined him for altering the uniform, which Johnson saw as excessive.
So, in a bit of defiance, he decided to make the name change permanent.
There was a marketing element to it as well.
“Ochocinco” became a brand for Johnson, helping him stand out and build a unique persona.
He embraced the new name and it stuck with him for a while.
However, the change didn’t last forever.
In 2012, when he signed with the Miami Dolphins, Johnson switched back to his original last name.
This coincided with a turbulent period for Johnson, who was ultimately released by the Dolphins shortly after the name change.
While he isn’t “Ochocinco” anymore, the name remains a memorable part of his NFL career.