14 - 28

(Sep 30, 2001 · Week 3)

Given the household name, megastar status that Chad Johnson would someday reach in Cincinnati, one might say that it was quite poetic that his first-ever touchdown arrived through a moonball that required a search through California’s bright sun. Entrusted with his opportunity on a one-step drop, fade route just before halftime, the Bengals’ playmaking machine made magic happen, getting a step on the Chargers’ cornerback before corralling in a eight-yard, game-tying score. Bigger numbers would be on the nearby horizon, but on Sept. 30, 2001, Johnson starred in a 28-14 loss to San Diego nonetheless, turning in a two-catch, 28-yard, one-touchdown effort.

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