How Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton can make life miserable for former NFL WR Chad Johnson
It's well known that former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson, who spent 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, absolutely loves McDonald's. Johnson has even gone as far as saying that every first date he's been on has been to McDonald's. It's not an act, Johnson truly loves McDonald's more than any other restaurant on the […]
It's well known that former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson, who spent 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, absolutely loves McDonald's.
Johnson has even gone as far as saying that every first date he's been on has been to McDonald's.
It's not an act, Johnson truly loves McDonald's more than any other restaurant on the planet.
But he's putting his fast-food love on the line because of his belief in Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Johnson told The Comeback's Kevin Harrish that he believes Harrison is going to win the Heisman Trophy this season. And if he doesn't, Johnson said he'll give up McDonald's forever.
This is where Tennessee Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton, an Oregon transfer, comes into the picture.
I don't think Thornton is going to be a threat to win the Heisman this season — the Vols' most likely candidate for that award is quarterback Joe Milton — but he can keep Harrison from winning the award.
A year ago, Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt won the Biletnikoff Award (given annually to the nation's top pass catcher) over Harrison.
Thornton has already gone on record to say that his goal in 2023 is to make it two Biletnikoff Awards in a row for the Vols.
"My goal is to be the best receiver I can be, but my goal is also to win the Biletnikoff," said Thornton to GoVols247 after committing to Tennessee earlier this year.
Wide receivers don't win the Heisman often. Alabama wide receiver DaVonta Smith won the award in 2020, but he was the first wide receiver to win the award since Michigan's Desmond Howard in 1991.
When Smith won the Heisman in 2020, he also won the Biletnikoff Award (which was first given out in 1994, three years after Howard won the Heisman in 1991).
It's hard to imagine Harrison winning the Heisman without also winning the Biletnikoff Award.
So if Thornton accomplishes his goal in 2023, it all but guarantees that Johnson will be forced to give up McDonald's (assuming he honors his bet).
Johnson was a massive supporter of Hyatt last season. And he's heaped praise on former Vols wide receiver Cedric Tillman in recent weeks. Johnson knows as well as any former NFL player that Tennessee's wide receivers are capable of ruining Harrison's chances to win the Heisman this winter. This is a promise that Ochocinco might regret making.
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