By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK–Several high-profile visitors have made an appearance at Lions training camp this summer, including retired Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders and women’s boxing champion Claressa Shields. On Friday morning, Chad Johnson was in town to attend Lions practice.
The retired wide receiver, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, was easy to spot. Clad in a gray Lions hoodie and red track pants with white stripes, he was making the rounds and chatting with players, head coach Jim Caldwell, other members of the coaching staff and team president Rod Wood.
“I’ve known him for a while,” said Caldwell. “You know, all of our games at Indy the last preseason game typically was against Cincinnati. So, we’ve been interacting for a number of years. He’s a guy that obviously was very, very good at what he was able to do and he enjoys watching football.”
At the conclusion of practice, Johnson, 39, briefly addressed the wide receivers. When asked what his message to them was, Caldwell said, “I’m not certain.”
Johnson didn’t speak to any members of the media, but he did take to Twitter and had some nice things to say about the Lions’ third-round draft pick Kenny Golladay:
That young boul Golloday has that "IT" factor ®
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) August 4, 2017
And the former six-time Pro Bowl wide wideout also exchanged in some playful back-and-forth banter with cornerbacks Darius Slay and Quandre Diggs:
Line it up "slow feet don't eat" https://t.co/X5ELNzOSrQ
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) August 4, 2017
Lmao 😂 https://t.co/wunNeKh2r7
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) August 4, 2017
Johnson was in town to see his 12-year-old daughter Cha’iel, who competed in the AAU Junior Olympics at Eastern Michigan University, winning a gold medal in the 800m on Wednesday.
“He had a little spare time, so we’re glad he dropped by,” Caldwell said.