Chad Johnson Races a Horse - NFL News

Flamboyant Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has outdone himself. This time, he has challenged a race horse to a foot race.

Actually, the race is for the charity "Feed the Children". All proceeds will go to this Oklahoma City charity, which provides food, clothes, medicine and medical care for children around the globe.

For those who would like to bet on the outcome of this race, here's a link to find the Bodog odds.

Who will win the "Man vs. Beast" race on June 9th between Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals and the race horse "Restore the Roar"?

Chad Johnson -110
Restore the Roar -130

CHAD JOHNSON

Johnson started his college career at little known Santa Monica Junior College, where he formed a potent receiver combination with former Pro Bowl receiver, Steve Smith. Both would transfer to larger colleges. Johnson went to Oregon State, where he teamed with former Bengals teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh as the Beavers' passing threats.

He was drafted in the 2nd round (36th pick overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2001 NFL Draft. Johnson saw little action in his rookie season. In year two, he surpassed 1,100 yards received, while establishing himself as the Bengals go-to guy. His 3rd year in the league saw Johnson set a team record with over 1,300 yards receiving.

During his 3rd through 6th seasons, Chad Johnson has caught 90, 95, 97 and 87 balls. His 6th season, 2006, was considered a slight disappointment, though the rehab of quarterback Carson Palmer and injuries on the offensive line seemed mainly to blame for these troubles. Even at that, Johnson recorded 87 receptions for 1,369 yards and 7 touchdowns, which would be career totals for most any other NFL receiver. Coming into his 7th year in the league, Chad Johnson is in the prime of his career.

OCHO-CINCO

Chad has been one of the more entertaining football stars of the last several years. Though Johnson has talked trash during several game weeks, this seldom has caused much controversy, because Johnson's typically does so in a humorous fashion. His publicity stunts tend to have a comic edge to them, as well.

For example, during October of 2006, Chad Johnson told the media he wanted to be known as Ocho-Cinco for the remainder of "Hispanic Heritage Month". Ocho-Cinco is the Spanish word translation of Chad Johnson's number designation, 85.

In pregame warmups the next week, he appeared on the field in a jersey with the words "Ocho-Cinco" on his jersey in place of "C. Johnson", his normal distinction. Before game time, teammate Carson Palmer ripped off the Ocho-Cinco patch to reveal C. Johnson underneath. Johnson was strangely fined by the NFL for the stunt, though the nickname has stuck.

Johnson would later wear a pair of holographic tiger striped shoes for a Monday Night Football showdown with the Indianapolis Colts, for which he was once again fined. Note that the money for NFL fines go to that player's favorite charity.

WHO COVERED 85 IN '05

In 2005, Chad Johnson announced he was keeping a list of defensive backs who had covered him skillfully. This list was called "Who Covered 85 in '05". This was meant as a motivating ploy in an upcoming big game versus the division rival Baltimore Ravens.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis announced he wanted Johnson to replace the original list with a parody list, "Did 85 do everything he could to lead his team to victory 11-6-05". When Johnson had a star game against the Ravens that week. Lewis was happy to allow Johnson to keep his original list.

THE RACE

The race will take place at River Downs Track in Cincinnati. Chad Johnson will start at the 16th pole, while Restore the Roar will start at the 8th pole. Chad Johnson will run 110 yards. Restore the Roar will give Johnson a handicap, running twice that distance at 220 yards.

Patti Cooksey will come out of retirement to ride Restore the Roar, which is a four-year old thoroughbred. If Restore the Roar was a quarterhorse, it would no doubt be the favorite in this race. Since it's a thoroughbred, which starts slower than a quarterhorse, this could go down to the wire.

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Chad Johnson Races a Horse - NFL News