For the most part, NFL receivers have a reputation of being outspoken, cocky, and even flashy. Without a doubt, Chad Ochocinco was all of the above and then some extra. He was one of the most talented receivers in the entire NFL, and he knew it. However, he was also able to back up everything he said and then some on the field.
During his career, Ochocinco caught almost 800 passes and picked up 82 touchdowns, while thrilling Cincinnati Bengals fans through every play. Along the way, he reminded everyone just how talented he was, and even took every chance he could to chirp at those trying to defend him. So, where did his story start?
Chad Ochocinco’s Football Rise Began at Santa Monica and Peaked at Oregon State
Before he was an NFL showman, Chad Ochocinco lit up the field in his college days with Oregon State in a single season that changed everything for him and was the catalyst for the player we would see Ochocinco become in the NFL.
Ochocinco began his college career playing at Santa Monica College in 1997. He played alongside fellow NFL wide receiver Steve Smith in his short time there. However, it wasn’t until Ochocinco transferred to Oregon State for the 2000 season that he would reach heights he never saw before.
Alongside future Bengals teammate, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Ochocinco led his team to a fantastic 11-1 season and a big 41-9 victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl that year. Johnson also broke a record for the longest touchdown reception with a 97-yard catch in a game against Stanford.
In his one season at the school, Ochocinco played in 12 games and picked up 37 catches for a massive 886 yards and eight touchdowns. This ultimately put him on the map and was the catalyst to see him get drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2001 NFL Draft with their 36th overall pick.
Ochocinco went on to have a stellar career with the Bengals in the NFL. Starting in 2001 with the Bengals, Ochocinco played 11 years with Cincinnati before he would retire. He became one of the best Bengals receivers in history, as he picked up 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns.
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The rest is history for Ochocinco. From very humble beginnings to one of the greatest receivers that the NFL has ever seen, Ochocinco has done it all. While unconventional, Ochocinco’s path led him to building a $15 million empire and saw him become one of the best NFL players in recent memory.
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