Chad Ochocinco Helps Restaurant Score an Opening-Day Win

Chad Ochocinco had some difficulty staying out of the headlines after an 11-season NFL career with a pair of teams. The retired wide receiver known as Chad Johnson and Chad Ochocinco at various times, is back in the news – this time for some amazing generosity of his part.

Chad Ochocinco was a high-volume receiver

At the height of his career, Chad Johnson was one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the NFL because of the sheer number of balls he caught and then what he did after making the reception.

Johnson caught between 87 and 97 passes for five consecutive seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals beginning in 2003. He averaged 14.9 yards per catch and scored 43 touchdowns in that span to earn five of his six career selections to the Pro Bowl.

Ochocinco played his entire career with the Bengals until finishing up with the New England Patriots in 2011. He totaled 766 catches for an impressive 11,059 yards and 67 touchdown receptions and was selected first-team All-Pro twice while playing for Cincinnati.

Chad Johnson becomes Chad Ochocinco

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Chad Johnson began referring to himself as Chad Ochocinco in October 2006 in reference to his No. 85 jersey and then had his name legally changed in August 2008. He later announced his intention to change his name to Hachi Go, the Japanese translation for the uniform number, but did not follow through.

After signing with the Miami Dolphins before the 2012 season – he did not play for them that year – he had his name legally changed back to Chad Johnson. Fans still frequently refer to him by the Ochocinco moniker.

Johnson ran into legal trouble during training camp with the Dolphins, getting arrested on a charge of domestic battery in Davie, Florida. The team released him the following day.

Johnson was cited by authorities in 2013 for failure to follow through on participation in an abusive spouse intervention program and appointments with the probation department but agreed to a plea deal calling for continued probation. However, the judge sentenced him to 30 days in jail (later reduced to seven days) after Johnson playfully slapped his attorney on the buttocks in the courtroom.

The man is no cheapskate

Monday was the first day that restaurants in Broward and Miami-Dade counties could serve dine-in meals since a shelter-in-place order was issued in March. Retired NFL receiver Chad Johnson, 42, took advantage of the development by running up a $37.40 tab at Havana’s Cuban Cuisine in Cooper City, Florida.

However, the Miami Herald reported that Johnson, who was born in Miami and was a high school star there, tacked on $1,000 to the check, which he paid with a credit card, and scribbled a message:

“Congrats on reopening. Sorry about the pandemic, hope this helps. I love you.”

Johnson also jotted “Proverbs 11:25” on the post in reference to a Bible verse that says, “He that watereth shall be watered also himself.”