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SPORTS ZONE 1: The Bengal’s Star Receiver

Chad Johnson, who wears the number 85 Jersey for the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals, has quickly become one of the biggest stars in the league. He's known for both his great plays on the field, his pre-game talk and his touchdown celebrations.

This year he has helped lead the Bengals to a 3-0 start. He has just over 300 yards in those first three games and three touchdowns. He is also averaging more than 16 yards a reception. The Bengals, who haven’t been considered a playoff or Super Bowl contender in years, are now at the top of their division and have high hopes for a successful postseason.

Johnson is also well known for some of his trash-talking antics before the game. While all in good fun, he made a name for himself last year sending stomach upset medication to defensive players before an upcoming game.

Chad Johnson was born on January 9, 1978, in Miami, Florida. Unlike many NFL stars, who are high draft picks out of college, Johnson wasn’t drafted until the second round and was Cincinnati’s fifth pick in the year 2001. He was drafted out of Oregon State. While at Oregon State, he averaged 21.8 yards per catch. While playing there in 2000, he helped them earn a number four national ranking, as well as a postseason victory over Notre Dame. He also holds the Oregon State record for longest touchdown reception with a 97-yard touchdown catch he made over Stanford.

Chad Johnson also has two cousins who play in the NFL: Dallas Cowboy’s receiver Keyshawn Johnson and Samari Rolle who plays for the Tennessee Titans.

Johnson has been Cincinnati’s biggest star. He made the Pro Bowl during the past two years and is expected to make it again this year. With his quarterback, Carson Palmer, playing great and being one of the leading quarterbacks in the league, Chad Johnson has the potential to lead the Bengals to great postseason success.

--Written by Jeff Benson

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