Chad Johnson, Once Known for Dancing in End Zones, Now Known as One of Football's Most Charismatic Voices

Chad Johnson, once known for dancing in end zones and now known as one of football's most charismatic voices, had tears in his eyes for a different reason yesterday

Chad Johnson, the former NFL Pro Bowler, was reduced to tears as he watched his daughter, Chadé K. Johnson, graduate from Prairie View A&M University yesterday. The proud father, famously known as “Ochocinco,” couldn’t contain his emotions as he stood alongside hundreds of families during the Saturday morning ceremony at the Texas-based HBCU.

Not only did Chadé earn her degree, but she also became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., an honor deeply rooted in Black collegiate tradition. Johnson, a Florida native, has come to cherish Prairie View’s vibrant culture over the past few years. He participated in the coin toss at the Panthers’ 2024 Homecoming game and attended his daughter’s AKA probate, later reflecting on the experience with heartfelt admiration during an episode of Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe.

“Now what I’m not going to do is — I promise this time when I talk about Prairie View — I’m not gonna cry,” Johnson said with a laugh. “But that is something that all people… need to experience — a homecoming at some HBCU at a state near you.”

Johnson, a Florida native, has roots in HBCU culture himself. He spent a brief stint at Langston University before transferring to Oregon State, where he launched the football career that led to six Pro Bowl selections and a place among the game’s most iconic personalities.

But on Saturday, it wasn’t about stats or Super Bowls. It was about legacy. It was about family. And it was about an HBCU experience that brought one of football’s most colorful personalities into a deeply rooted tradition of Black excellence.

To fans of HBCU sports and culture, Johnson’s continued presence on campus is more than a proud parent moment—it’s a reminder of how strong the HBCU bond can be, even across generations.

For athletes, alumni, and fans alike, Chad Johnson’s story is a simple message: show up, celebrate your people, and stay connected to the culture that shapes us.