Chad Johnson explains reason why he lived at Paul Brown stadium for two years
Chad Johnson is one legendary figure in the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver was a very good player in the 2000s, but his public persona was just as interesting, highlighted by the years when he legally changed his name to Chad Ochocinco in reference to his playing number, 85.
But for all the influence and name changes, he was a fantastic wide receiver. One of the things that made him a great player was his focus when he was out of the public persona.
Johnson even lived inside the Paul Brown Stadium for the first two years of his career, as he ascended into a Cincinnati Bengals star. He explained the reason in a podcast appearance with Shannon Sharpe:
"Remember, I stayed at the stadium the first two years. I ain't want to spend the money, right? What's the point? Why are you telling me to go rent a house? Go buy a house, go rent a condo, when everything I need is right here in the facility at Paul Brown. Showers, cafeteria, TV, couch, gaming system. What's the point? What's the point?"
He also explained that in order to make it into the league, he had to stay away from temptations from the outside world:
"I was so locked in and really it wasn't about having my own space and having women. For what? I'm locked in. I'm a rookie. Date for what? I needed that one year, lock in, catch the rhythm. My second year, I caught the rhythm. I caught the rhythm of the game. I felt like okay, I got it.
Chad Johnson's career: Former Bengals WR lived inside the stadium
Johnson was fantastic throughout his time in Cincinnati, where he amassed six Pro Bowl selections and four other All-Pro inductions. He also led the league in reception yards in 2006.
When the Bengals created their 40th Anniversary Team, he was voted the number one receiver. His NFL career ended in 2012 following an arrest on charges of domestic battery when he was a member of the Miami Dolphins. His release was made public due to the Dolphins being the subject of the 2012's HBO Series "Hard Knocks."