Chad Johnson was known for three things in his 12-year career in the National Football League: swagger, footwork, and attitude.
He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team NFL All-Pro. Johnson totaled seven 1,000-yard seasons and finished his pro campaign with 766 receptions for 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns. Since his career ended, he’s had his hand in acting and some sports podcasts.
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Johnson is a reoccurring guest on Brandon Marshall’s show, I Am Athlete, where he breaks down his passion for meal prepping and helping athletes. During his playing career, Johnson went against the grain but it worked. In one episode of I Am Athlete, he explained to Cam Newton the meal prep he would be on to restore him to dominance in the NFL. Johnson’s prep for Newton included a McDonald’s breakfast, Pop-Tarts, six boiled eggs, jerk chicken pasta, and his version of soul food.
“is there a better meal prepper than me”❓pic.twitter.com/gEImWrHivT
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) February 23, 2021
When he ran the 40-yard dash at the 2001 NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson clocked a time of 4.58 seconds.
He was never known for his speed, but Henry Ruggs III is. A native of Montgomery, Ala., Ruggs played wide receiver for three seasons at the University of Alabama. He was a College Football Playoff National Champion in 2017 as a freshman and ended his career with 98 catches, including 24 for touchdowns. Ruggs posted the fastest 40-time (4.27 seconds) of any receiver at the 2020 NFL Combine, and his mark was tied for the fourth-fastest in combine history since electronic timing started in 1999.
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As the 12th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, Ruggs had a decent rookie season with the Las Vegas Raiders. He caught 26 passes for 452 receiving yards and two touchdowns. One of his scores was a 46-yard, game-winning catch from Derek Carr to push the Raiders to a 31-28 victory over the New York Jets. Ruggs’ lone 100-yard performance came in a 40-32 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He knows he is capable of more, and Ruggs has started his offseason work.
.@__RUGGS x @TheInstituteHPS pic.twitter.com/mypWAtQAUN
— Deon Hodges (@_DHodges) February 23, 2021
According to Twitter, Johnson told Ruggs he would help him get his 40-time to 4.0 speed. He is willing to help Ruggs meal prep and reach his full potential at the position.
I’ll have you running a 4.0… DM ($30 a week meal prep) https://t.co/PubIEsiWpl
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) February 23, 2021
Ruggs wants in on the training and is ready to sign up.
Where do I sign up 👀 @ochocinco https://t.co/l7AF3raZDU
— HJR III™💎 (@__RUGGS) February 23, 2021
I’m ready ‼️ https://t.co/IITheYl2Ov
— HJR III™💎 (@__RUGGS) February 23, 2021
The Raiders have not made the AFC playoffs since 2016, and it has not won an AFC West Division title since 2002.
Ruggs wants to stop the bleeding, and he’s willing to do anything to get it done.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith
