During his 11-year NFL career, Chad Johnson always seemed to be a natural in front of the microphone. He was so comfortable around the media and so entertaining with what he had to say, that one would think the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver always had his sights set on eventually being involved in the media.
“No, I never really thought about it honestly, but it’s something that I enjoy doing,” said Johnson who is now an analyst on the new season of Inside the NFL on The CW Network Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
The show was launched 47 years ago and was a staple for many years on HBO and Showtime. Inside the NFL takes a look at the previous week’s action captured by NFL Films with a behind the scenes look how at how the games unfolded.
The long-running show has always been prime real estate when it comes to sports television, and Johnson is honored to be a part of it.
‘It means a lot to me,” said Johnson will be enshrined into the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor at halftime of Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. “Obviously, this is something that I would never have thought I would ever be a part of so to be a part of something that is iconic and has great tradition behind it and something that was started a long time ago by Steve Sabol has been a tremendous honor.”
Johnson is part of a star-studded cast on Inside the NFL.
Ryan Clark, who spent 13 years as a safety in the NFL, including a Super Bowl XLIII title with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is the new host of Inside the NFL. He is also an analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown and has been a regular contributor for ESPN shows including NFL Live and Get Up.
Being able to work with Clark has been very important to Johnson, who admits he is still getting his feet wet in broadcasting.
“Ryan is probably one of the best in the game at what he does,” said Johnson. “He’s very sharp, very smart and very media savvy. My expertise was being savvy with the media in front of the microphone more for entertainment purposes. Having Ryan and trying to follow behind him and what he does and how to do it the right way has been awesome.”
Channing Crowder spent six seasons in the NFL as a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and now hosts a sports radio show in South Florida.
Jay Cutler, who spent 12 seasons playing in the NFL, was a Pro Bowl quarterback and spent time playing for the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins.
And the cast is rounded out by Long, an 11-year NFL veteran who played defensive end for the St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s a cast that Johnson is very familiar with.
“Seeing the cast and seeing the people behind the scenes that I was going to have the opportunity to work with made my decision (to join the show) much easier,” said Johnson. “The chemistry is much better when you’re working with people you have certain things in common with and the fact that we all played makes it that much easier.”
While Johnson enjoys breaking down a game that was already played and looking ahead to the following week’s action, there is one aspect of being an analyst that has difficult for him.
As a former player, Johnson does not like having to criticize players who had a bad game. While other former players have found it easy to do, Johnson struggles with it but hopes to find a happy medium.
“It’s the nature of the beast so I’m going to find a way to navigate it and critique in a way that’s positive and not being so critical,” admitted Johnson. “I remember feeling bad and I don’t want to be the one on TV having to do the criticizing when I know what it feels like. It’s just something I have to deal with and I’ll find a way to navigate through it.”
Johnson does feel like he brings something special to the table in how he can break a game down, especially from an offensive perspective. He doesn’t want to confuse the audience so he has found an approach that he believes can help football fans understand what happened during a particular play or during an entire game.
“It’s been very exciting,” said Johnson who once competed on Dancing with the Stars.
“A lot of people can relate because I can break it down in such a way where people will understand what I’m talking about and it’s just not X’s and O’s and it’s doesn’t feel like calculus. I break it down in simple terms using analogies that people will understand and that makes the game much easier to those that are watching.”
Johnson also likes bring out his crystal ball.
Once known as “Chad Ochocinco”, Johnson has his own segment on the show called “Ocho Predicto” where he picks the winner of one game each week.
He is 3-0 after Week 2 this season.
“Being the fact that I’m always right when it comes to picking games, it just made sense,” said Johnson. “I will probably go 17-0 this year and be able to guess the playoffs as well.”
Chad Johnson has accomplished a lot during his football career and now he’s on the other side of the microphone and camera as an analyst. Now, as part of Inside the NFL, the entertaining and flamboyant Johnson appears to be on his way to excelling as part of the football media.
Peter Schwartz writes weekly sports radio features for Barrett Media. He has been involved in New York sports media for over three decades, and has worked for notable brands such as WFAN, CBS Sports Radio, WCBS 880, ESPN New York, and FOX News Radio. Peter has also served as play by play announcer for the New Yok Riptide, New York Dragons, New York Hitmen, Varsity Media and the Long Island Sports Network. You can find him on Twitter @SchwartzSports or email him at DragonsRadio@aol.com.
