Chad Ochocinco, the former wide receiver, spent his childhood in Miami, Florida, with his parents, Sam and Paula Johnson.
Despite not having a father figure during his upbringing, Chad was primarily raised by his grandmother and mother.
Even though Chad’s father was absent for a significant part of his early life due to incarceration, Chad expressed a desire to know his father.
After his father’s release from jail, Chad took the opportunity to spend time with him.
Although both of Chad’s parents have passed away, he continues to acknowledge their greatness and respect for them.
Chad Ochocinco Johnson is an American former professional football player who gained prominence as a wide receiver in the NFL.
Hailing from Miami, Chad was born and raised there, attending Miami Beach Senior High School.
After completing high school, he played collegiate football for Santa Monica College and the Oregon State Beavers.
In the 2000 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected him as the 36th overall pick.
Over this period, Chad earned various accolades, including being the league’s receiving yards leader in 2006.
In April 2011, CNBC recognized Johnson as the number one “Most Influential Athlete In Social Media.”
Chad Ochocinco Parents: Father Sam Brown And Mother Paula Johnson
The Former player grew up with his grandmother and mother by his side, as his father, Sam Brown, was incarcerated, reportedly for a drug-related case.
Ochocinco Johnson faced a challenging upbringing and was raised by his grandmother and mother.
Despite his father’s absence, his mother and grandmother played crucial roles in his life, with his mother actively participating in his activities and driving him to school and practices.
Chad had no contact with his father for over two decades, but when he was released from prison, he spent time with him, even attending his games.
Despite the challenges, Chad expressed that he harbored no anger towards his father and wanted to learn more about him.
Tragically, Chad’s father, Sam Brown, passed away on January 16, 2012, after battling cancer.
Additionally, his mother, Paula Johnson, passed away in 2021 at the age of 65.
Chad, also known as “Ochocinco,” opened up about the profound impact of losing his mother on his mental health.
He shared these sentiments on the “I Am Athlete” podcast, “It hurts to lose the person responsible for who I am,” he shared “Those memories will always be there. I have the memories, both good and bad. I’ve learned through the ups and downs that I have to find that happy medium and keep the pendulum from swinging too far in either direction.”
Chad Ochocinco’s Family
Chad Ochocinco, despite facing challenges in his childhood, is now on a journey to create his own happy family.
The former NFL player and his girlfriend, Sharelle Rosado, recently shared the exciting news of their engagement exclusively with PEOPLE.
Sharelle Rosado expressed her joy, stating, “This is the next step of our beautiful journey together,” after Chad Ochocinco got down on one knee in front of friends and family.
The couple, who have been together for many years, welcomed a baby girl named Serenity in January 2022.
