Inside Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson's humble start saving cash on Spirit Airlines & Claire's jewelry before big tipper fame

AS an NFL star, Chad Johnson commanded high wages.

The former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, 45, had earned almost $49million during his impressive playing career.

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His highest-earning year was in 2006, when his contract with the Bengals was more than $11.5million, The Sporting News reported.

But dad-of-eight Johnson - who retired from the game in 2011 - has said he saved most of his cash by wearing fake jewelry from Claire's and flying Spirit Airlines.

He told  Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast: "Fly private? I ain’t flying private.

“Put me on Spirit. Exit row. Window seat. That’s all I need,” he added.

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“As long as I get from point A to point B, I don’t need private.”

He also told the podcast that he managed to save 83 percent of his earnings.

Johnson, who is known as Chad Ochocinco, even cut corners on jewelry.

He added: "I never brought real anything when I was playing. Never. What was the point?

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"I went to Claire’s. For what? What am I doing it for?

"The women are going to deal with you anyway, because of who you are, and then the other women, who are really doing their homework, done Googled how much you making already.

"Why am I buying a $50,000 watch, $80,000 dollar watch?"

But despite his efforts to save cash, Johnson regularly helps others by leaving large tips for servers at restaurants.

He often leaves notes on the bill along with the money.

Most recently, in October last year, he left a $1,000 tip for a worker at an IHOP in Tennessee.

Johnson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001 where he played as a wide receiver for nine seasons.

Johnson played one season with the New England Patriots in 2011, and then moved to the Miami Dolphins for one season in 2012.

He played off-season with the Dolphins, but never played during the regular season.

Johnson also had endorsement contracts with large companies such as GoDaddy, Reebok, and Wonderful Pistachio.

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Johnson said this week: "Everybody is caught up in image and looking a certain way and being rich. It’s me. It’s pointless.

"You know how hard it’s to live like that all the time, consistently, and be fly every day?”

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