JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Chad Ochocinco has not played a down of football in nearly a decade, but he added a new fan this week.
Ochocinco, originally known as Chad Johnson, on Friday left a $963 tip to a server at a Miller’s Ale House restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, WJAX-TV reported.
“It’s definitely going to help Christmas, definitely going to help pay a couple of bills, and I’ll probably take mom to a nice dinner,” Michael Formanek told the television station. “It was a blessing and it’s definitely going to help a lot.”
Proverbs 11:25 💫 (Terry McLaurin edition) pic.twitter.com/9wa3qoViSK
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) November 27, 2020
Formanek just returned to work this week, as the coronavirus kept him unemployed for nearly six months, WJAX reported.
Ochocinco, who played 10 seasons at wide receiver with the Cincinnati Bengals and one with the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2010, ran up a $41.80 bill at the restaurant. The suggested 20% gratuity was $7.81, but Ochocinco went way over that amount.
He added $963 to bring the total tab to $1,004.80.
I found a Miller’s Ale House near the mall, my server is cool & has no idea the blessing in which will be bestowed upon him 😃
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) November 27, 2020
On the bill, Ochocinco wrote, “Always play Uno on dates to decide who pays the bill.”
Johnson, in tweeting about the check, added Proverbs 11:25 -- “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
“This was a very big lesson that’s going to help me in more ways than one,” Formanek told WJAX.
#NEW: Michael, a server at a #Jacksonville Miller's Ale House got a $963 tip from from @ochocinco today.
— Ryan Nelson (@RyanANJax) November 27, 2020
He was out of work for about six months due to #COVID19 impacts on staffing there, but returned to work this week.
Michael and his mother, Jeri, spoke to @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/s7OLDWgWKM
Cox Media Group