"I was Nick Cannon before Nick Cannon" - Chad Johnson reveals the real reason behind having multiple kids

Chad Johnson is known for his bigger-than-life attitude on the gridiron. His off-the-field lifestyle, too, is a bit of the same. The former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver has demanded attention ever since he was drafted back in 2001.

During his 11-year stint as an NFL player, Johnson racked up plenty of accolades while rapidly expanding his family. It is believed that the former wideout is the father to eight children whom he shares with multiple partners.

During a recent appearance on Shannon Sharpe's Club Shay Shay podcast, the wide receiver elaborated a bit on his family and how he was a trendsetter for other celebrities:

"I think people fail to realize is I was Nick Cannon before Nick. I was Future before Future. But I'm so active with mine... There's a reason. There's a method to the madness."

Johnson further went on to explain his decision to raise eight kids and his meticulous process of selecting partners:

"My reason was, during those times when I was younger, I wanted to athletic children. So therefore I dated those who had an athletic background. I need to see. What did you do in high school to cheer? Did you play volleyball? Did you run track? Anything athletic. Do you have footage of anything? Then you check the ankles. Listen, the most important foundation to any sport you play is your footwork."

He further went on to say:

"Yeah she's gorgeous. But when we have a kid then what? I'm not raising models. I don't want no model. I don't care how fine you are. Can you run the 40? How would you lateral movement can you jump?"

Johnson's latest addition to his evergrowing family tree was a new baby girl. He and his fiancée, Selling Tampa's Sharelle Rosado, shared the news earlier last year on Instagram.

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Chad Johnson kids: How many kids does the former NFL wide receiver have?

The 45-year-old former NFL superstar has eight kids with multiple partners. Some of his kids have followed in his footsteps and are athletes just like their father.

Some of them have even gone on to follow in their father's footsteps, dabbling in the world of sports, thus fulfilling his dream.

The former Bengals player's son, Chad Johnson II, is a wide receiver at Arizona State University, while one of his daughters, Cha'iel Johnson, set a United States record in the 800-meter run for 12-year-olds.