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(CNN) After signing his first contract as a rookie with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001, you could have forgiven Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson for thinking he’d made it.
But while others nfl the newcomers were spending on big houses and fast cars, the wide receiver was more focused on living frugally and developing his game.
Johnson, who enjoyed 11 NFL seasons, says that instead of splurging on a new house, he spent the first two years of his career living inside the Bengals’ stadium.
“You have to remember that I stayed in the stadium the first two years because I didn’t want to spend money,” Johnson said. Shannon Sharpe‘s ‘Club Shay Shay’ show earlier this month.
“What’s the point of? Why are you telling me to rent a house, buy a house, or rent a condo when everything I need is right here on the premises?
“Showers, cafeteria, TV, sofa, games system. What is the point? He was so locked up. It wasn’t about having my own space.”
Johnson said that solid approach helped lay the foundation on which he built his successful NFL career.
He spent 10 seasons with the Bengals before ending his playing days with a brief stint with the New England Patriots, making six Pro-Bowl teams.
“I needed that one-year block to pick up the pace. The second year I got that rhythm,” he said, adding that it was Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis who finally persuaded him to get his own spot.
Despite making millions throughout his career, Johnson says he was never tempted to spend money on expensive clothes and fast cars.
He claims he never bought real jewelry during his career, and to this day the 45-year-old says he sees no point in being carried away by his fortune.
“There is nothing I can buy that is bigger than just my name,” he said, estimating that he saved more than 80% of his playing salary.
“Everyone is caught up in the image and looks a certain way, being rich. Meaningless.”
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