Seahawks | Chad Johnson brings his act to Qwest Field

The RiverDance. The Proposal. Tiger Hood.

Leaping into Cleveland's rowdy Dawg Pound and getting doused with beer. Administering CPR to the football.

And this one, from the Cincinnati Bengals' season opener: Donning a yellow Hall of Fame-style blazer with the words "Future H.O.F 20??" on the back.

Such outlandish and entertaining touchdown celebrations are just the beginning. Chad Johnson has also wiped his feet with one of Pittsburgh's beloved Terrible Towels. He has won a charity footrace against a Thoroughbred after being given a head start. Sported a bleached Mohawk. Worn the name "Ocho Cinco" on the back of his No. 85 jersey during pregame warmups last season in honor, he said, of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Which brings to mind two important questions for Sunday's Seahawks-Bengals game at Qwest Field: What will Johnson do next? And can you really afford to get up from your seat at Qwest Field or couch at home and risk missing it?

Johnson hopes his first visit to the stadium will provide a new stage. Whatever he has planned, he promises to keep "pushing the envelope" and operate within NFL rules.

"I'm still thinking of something that can entertain the fans in Seattle," Johnson said Wednesday. "Something exciting, something that they can get involved in."

That's Johnson's specialty. Asked about a touchdown celebration on which he got down on one knee in front of a Bengals cheerleader as if he were proposing marriage, Johnson first made a joke.

"Man, she took half of everything I had," Johnson cracked. "You know what would be a good celebration? To do something using the cheerleaders in Seattle, like just walk up and just kiss one, just do it. I can't get fined for kissing. No, I'm just kidding ... whatever it is it'll be a classic."

SeaGals, beware.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has learned to live with his veteran receiver's antics, as long as Johnson doesn't get penalized and he continues to work hard and practice.

"How do you rein him in?" Lewis asked. "Do we tell him not to score touchdowns? We want him to score touchdowns and have the opportunity to celebrate, so I hope he gets a lot of dancing in the end zone or whatever he feels is his motive deal this week."

The Seahawks are the latest team that will try to rain on the Johnson parade. Johnson hasn't done anything from afar to draw their ire — like sending bottles of Pepto-Bismol to the cornerbacks, a stunt he's tried before — but he will certainly be a focal point of Seattle's defense.

Johnson leads the NFL with 304 receiving yards. He has breakaway speed and, as he so humbly put it, "the ability to stop on a dime full speed."

Opposing players, for the most part, find Johnson's brash style entertaining. Most don't talk back to him even while Johnson runs his mouth during games.

"I love it," Seahawks safety Deon Grant said. "Him being my homey, I check him out sometimes on the highlights knowing he's going to act a fool. If you don't want him to celebrate on you, don't let him get in the end zone."

Johnson is at times shockingly blunt. You can't help but laugh or be surprised at what he says, joke or not.

• On growing up in Miami and developing his persona: "I was a showman since school. I was the class clown when I was young. You gotta think about growing up watching the Hurricanes in the '80s and '90s. What did those guys do every time they scored?"

• On his college days: "I was only at Oregon State four months. I was in and out. I didn't even unpack my bags."

• On not going to classes much: "I don't think I made it to any, maybe the first week."

The most famous, or infamous, touchdown celebration in Qwest Field history happened in 2002 when Terrell Owens broke out a Sharpie from his sock and autographed the ball for a fan. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, not big on such premeditated action, hopes Johnson doesn't try anything that crazy.

"That in-your-face stuff, to me it's taunting," Holmgren said.

Johnson couldn't care less what others think — the league, coaches, his peers, anyone. He just wants to get the fans in every city involved, allowing them to decide how he plays from week to week through a Web site, appropriately found at www.trashtalk85.com.

"That's the whole key, just to keep everyone laughing," he said.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com