There was nothing inconspicuous about Chad Johnson's appearance at Detroit Lions training camp Friday morning.
Johnson wore bright red track pants and a gray Lions hoodie that made him easy to spot as he moved around the field. The longtime former Cincinnati Bengals receiver kept close watch over wide receiver position drills, where he received welcome hugs from Marvin Jones and Golden Tate (but turned down a few autograph requests). He spent a few minutes chatting with Lions coach Jim Caldwell and team president Rod Wood.
And after practice, he briefly addressed the Lions' receiving corps before he was escorted off the field and away from waiting reporters.
Johnson, in town to watch his daughter compete in the AAU Junior Olympics at Eastern Michigan, made a pit stop at the University of Michigan earlier this week, where he posed for a picture with coach Jim Harbaugh.
A week ago, he tweeted about needing a ride to Lions camp so he could watch a practice. After practice, he took to the social media site again to offer praise for Lions rookie Kenny Golladay.
"That young boul Golloday has that "IT" factor," he wrote.
Johnson played 11 NFL seasons with the Bengals and a 12th with the New England Patriots, when Lions GM Bob Quinn was in the front office. Caldwell said he got to know Johnson during his days as a coach with the Indianapolis Colts, when his teams would typically end the preseason against Johnson's Bengals.
"I've known him for a while," Caldwell said. "This is a guy that obviously was very, very good at what he was able to do and he enjoys watching football. I think he's here watching his daughter at Eastern Michigan ... so he had a little spare time so we were glad he dropped by."
Johnson wasn't the only visitor at Lions camp Friday. Former San Francisco 49ers executive Tom Gamble, now a member of Michigan's player personnel department, also was a guest on the sidelines.
