Plenty of athletes talk a good game. Every once in a while, though, bravado and talent intersect in the same player, and that's definitely the case with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson.
Before he became known for his outspoken quotes and his creative touchdown celebrations, Johnson took a slightly unusual path to the NFL. After attending Santa Monica Junior College, he played just one season at Oregon State, where he racked up 806 yards on just 37 receptions while helping lead the Beavers to a Fiesta Bowl victory.
The Bengals saw enough in Johnson to make him a second round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, and though he started just three games his rookie season, he blew up in 2002 to the tune of 1166 yards receiving and hasn't looked back. From 2003 through 2006, Johnson averaged 92 receptions for 1357 yards and a tad less than nine touchdowns per season.
He's also run afoul of the NFL on various occasions for his end zone antics, including his own rendition of "Riverdance" and simulated CPR on a football. Johnson has been unapologetic despite being disciplined, explaining that he wants to entertain the fans and doesn't mind setting aside money for his inevitable fines from the league.
While some football collectors may be turned off by his brazenness, many more seem to be adding Johnson's cards and memorabilia to their collections. His 50-plus rookie cards from the 2001 season have steadily increased in value, and playing in the Bengals offense alongside Carson Palmer, Rudi Johnson and fellow Beaver T.J. Houshmandzadeh means he's almost certain to keep putting up big numbers.
It also means there's a Chad Johnson rookie that's just the right price for every fan, which is undoubtedly just the way he likes it.
Chad Johnson 2001 Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 172 - football swatch card #'d to 850
- Bowman # 207
- Bowman Chrome # 187
- Bowman's Best # 117 - jersey card #'d to 999
- Crown Royale # 187 - #'d to 1000
- Donruss Classics # 128 - #'d to 475
- E-X # 111 - #'d to 1250
- Finest # 122 - #'d to 1000
- Fleer Authority # 114 - #'d to 1350
- Fleer Focus # 188 - #'d to 1850
- Fleer Game Time # 129 - #'d to 2001
- Fleer Genuine # 144 - jersey card #'d to 1000
- Fleer Legacy # 114 - #'d to 999
- Fleer Premium # 205 - #'d to 2001
- Fleer Showcase # 135 - #'d to 1500
- Fleer Tradition # 415
- Fleer Tradition Glossy # 415 - #'d to 2001
- Hot Prospects # 105
- Leaf Certified Materials # 112 - jersey card #'d to 400
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 250 - SP
- Pacific # 455 - autographed, #'d to 1750
- Pacific Dynagon # 118 - autographed, #'d to 499
- Pacific Impressions # 163 - #'d to 117
- Pacific Invincible # 261 - #'d to 299
- Pacific Prism Atomic # 161 - #'d to 506
- Playoff Contenders # 113 - autographed
- Playoff Honors # 212 - jersey card #'d to 725
- Playoff Preferred # 133 - #'d to 1100
- Private Stock # 119 - #'d to 200
- Quantum Leaf # 235
- Score # 310
- Score Select # 310 - #'d to 275
- SP Authentic # 104 - jersey card #'d to 160
- SP Game Used # 108 - jersey card #'d to 500
- SPx # 100 - autographed jersey card w/ two versions #'d to 550 each
- Stadium Club # 143
- Titanium # 163 - jersey card #'d to 75
- Titanium Post Season # 19 - #'d to 795
- Topps # 340
- Topps Chrome # 259 - #'d to 999
- Topps Debut # 128 - jersey card
- Topps Gallery # 140
- Topps Heritage # 113 - #'d to 1956
- Topps Reserve # 120 - #'d to 999
- UD Graded # 48 - two versions #'d to 500 each
- Ultra # 254 - #'d to 2499
- Upper Deck # 194
- Upper Deck Legends # 96 - #'d to 750
- Upper Deck MVP # 323
- Upper Deck Ovation # 140 - #'d to 250
- Upper Deck Pros and Prospects # 129 - #'d to 1000
- Upper Deck Rookie F/X # 242F - #'d to 750
- Upper Deck Top Tier # 197 - #'d to 1500
- Upper Deck Victory # 386
- Upper Deck Vintage # 215
- Vanguard # 113 - #'d to 450