Incoming Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will have quite a lot to live up to when he puts on his No. 85 jersey for the first time.
After all, Chad Johnson hauled in 751 receptions for close to 11,000 yards and 66 touchdowns in that jersey in his 10 years with the Bengals. Johnson was named to the Pro Bowl six times, and he was First-Team All-Pro in both 2005 and 2006.
Johnson is one of the greatest receivers in franchise history. During his playing career, he was one of the more outspoken characters in football.
But Johnson is “honored” Higgins is choosing to wear the number ahead of his rookie season (via Chris Roling of USA TODAY):
“An honor. An honor for me for him to wear 85,” Johnson said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “I was sheltering long before everybody else. I’m just here gaming.”
Higgins kept it short and sweet too after communicating with both Chad and A.J. Green: “I can’t wait to put that number on. Keep the tradition going.”
Interestingly enough, No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow will retain his No. 9 that he wore at LSU. Burrow to Higgins, No. 9 to No. 85. Sound familiar, Bengals fans?
Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer also wore No. 9, and he and Johnson formed one of the most lethal quarterback-receiver duos in the NFL during their heydays.
The Bengals would be thrilled for Higgins to match anything close to Johnson's numbers. Cincinnati made Higgins their second-round pick, and he will join a talented receiving corps already comprised of A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd.
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