Life, according to Will Smith, isn't a straight path from birth to death, but a circular journey of multiple deaths and rebirths. This philosophy resonates deeply when examining the personal life of Chad Ricardo, a sports and entertainment reporter and anchor. His story is one of navigating love, loss, career challenges, and ultimately, self-discovery.
The Heartbreak and the Rebirth
Hearing the news that his girlfriend, CJ, had been unfaithful struck Chad "like a Mike Tyson left hook to the kidneys." He felt strayed, devastated, and alone. While he had the support of his family, it wasn't enough to fill the void. The betrayal hurt his self-esteem far more than his feelings, leading him to question his worth and identity.
After a month or so had passed, I was able to deal with the fact that CJ and I wouldn’t be together anymore, but what I couldn’t reconcile were feelings that SHE didn’t want ME. I began questioning if I was the man I thought I was. For the first time in years, I felt vulnerable and weak again.
His face broke out in uncontrollable acne. His self worth was shaken, his social life was non existent and his confidence was all but gone. He spent days sitting in his room in the dark; he didn’t want to leave his house - didn’t want for anyone to see him in that state.
By February, I had hit a point so low that my bestfriend, Dub, called and insisted that it was time I stop feeling sorry for myself. He said that I needed to stand back up. He told me that he’d be there for me, but that I needed to take the first step. I agreed with him. It was time. This wasn’t the man I had been raised to be.
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He mentally trained himself to become harder - to become colder and devoid of feelings and emotions.In my eyes, our failed relationship gave me license to be a monster.
Career Crossroads
Chad found a job as an account executive with the American Funds, earning a nice salary. There were endearing qualities to being financially secure, but to say I fit in there like a square peg in a round hole would be an understatement. For the first time, I found myself married to a cubicle, and I wore the ball-and-chain around my ankle to prove it.
As I continued to rebuild my confidence though, opportunities began to manifest. My parents neighbor just so happened to be a man by the name of Tommy Bennett, a flamingly homosexual man who had found a level of fame as a bit character on the nationally syndicated, “Tom Joyner Morning Show”. Tommy was more than a media maven though, he became my friend!
Tommy was more than a media maven though, he became my friend! Yes, he was gay - VERY GAY. Yes, he made playful advances in my direction and yes my homeboys gave me a hard time (no pun intended) for my new association, but I appreciated his care as well as the doors he was opening for me.
He did though come in contact with a woman who had started a blossoming regional magazine title, “United Soul” and she brought me on part time as a staff writer. During the week I had my hands cuffed to the desk at the American Funds but on the weekends, I was covering events and interviewing the likes of Hall of Famer, Bruce Smith, and Chad L. Coleman of “The Wire”.
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A couple of months later I had a shot at redemption. The magazine had booked a phone interview with a musical artist who was about to drop his debut album, “Gift Lifted”. He had a number one record on the radio at the time - it was titled, “Ordinary People” - his name was John Legend…maybe you’ve heard of him! I was STOKED!
By the time the weather warmed up, life had led me to a crossroads. He was making good money at his regular job and advancing his professional life by writing for the magazine. In my personal life, CJ had long since called to apologize and ask me for another chance - although I hated her, I still loved her at the same time, so despite the fact it made me feel like a lil’ Bitch, I said yes anyway! My life was going well, but I felt as though there was something I needed to do.
I had come to a fork in the road; I could’ve continued down the path towards the life I’d desired, or return to my comfort zone. I chose the latter.
So, despite the fact that I was making good money and working in my field and interviewing hall of famers and musical artists alike… I decided I would leave it all behind and attend grad school. I took my GRE’s, applied, and when I was accepted, I set sail to return to JMU.
Return to JMU
My return to Madison was under the guise that I wanted to earn a graduate degree, which in turn would open up new doors and set me further along on my career path. For all intents and purposes, this was a lie though - and not only did I preach it to others, but I did my best to convince myself it was accurate. I re-enrolled at Madison because I felt as though it was the only place that I could recover what I’d lost within myself in finding out CJ had cheated on me.
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Despite my unsettled feeling and much to the chagrin of those closest to me, CJ and I were in fact, officially back together, even though our romantic situation was tenuous at best. We loved each other, but the trust was broken and there was really no way of getting it back to where once was.
That relationship was the first of what would turn out to be multiple major break-ups in my second stint in Harrisonburg. Me and the classroom would soon be on thin ice as well. I’d applied and been accepted into the program of Technical and Scientific Communication, but truth be told, I chose the major without conducting much research on the curriculum - ok, I actually conducted NO RESEARCH on the curriculum - but, it did have communication in the title, annnnnnnd, since I was a great talker, I figured it was right up my alley.
During my first few days of class, what I found was my return to academia after a year in the real world was very similar to getting back with CJ; it didn’t have the same “feel”. I was attempting to re-create a moment in time in my life, but what I was finding out was that’s not possible.
Table: Key Moments in Chad Ricardo's Life
| Period | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Post-College | Unemployment and disillusionment | Felt lost and directionless. |
| Summer After Graduation | Spends time with CJ | Growing closer |
| Fall After Graduation | CJ goes back to JMU | Worried relationship wouldn't make it |
| American Funds | Working as an Account Executive | Financial security but unfulfilling. |
| Return to JMU | Enrolling in Grad School | Attempt to regain lost confidence. |
The Swimsuit Calendar Venture
One day while spit balling ideas of how to take over the world, my bestfriend Dub and I settled on the thought that we could potentially do so by combining the two things we fancied the most: making money and pretty girls! We decided that with all the beautiful women on JMU’s campus, the only thing that was missing was a product that openly exploited them. It was simple - we would produce a swimsuit calendar!
The thought was brilliant because most of what would be required was organic to our surroundings, all we needed were start-up costs and a mass method of marketing our merchandise. Although we were popular in our own regard, as I’d mentioned, the boys from JMaddy had interwoven themselves with the campus in ways previously never seen. I despised the idea of asking anyone, especially those guys for help, but my business mind told me it was the right thing to do, so I silenced my ego and set up a meeting.
Getting the Johnny Napp deal done had my self assurance once again going through the roof. In a matter of months I had transformed from a broken man into an impresario I began to envision myself in the same vein as Jay-Z when he said, “Im not a businessman, Im a BUSINESS…man!”.
By that point, Dub and I had taken the concept of “feeling one’s self” to previously unmarked territory. We had fully embraced Hedonism for all intents and purposes. The status, attention and recognition had not only gone to our heads, but seemingly seeped into our bloodline. We were doing whatever we wanted whenever we wanted to do it.
As much “work” as I was putting in on the calendar though, I found myself neglecting other aspects of lie, such as school and the Johnny Napp project. As if my classes weren’t a drag before, they seemed especially trite at this point. I’d sit in class in my cargo shorts, sandals and graphic Tee’s, daydreaming of new marketing schemes as my humdrum professor went on and on about information I was now convinced I would never use.
A Full Circle
Ricardo has been with FOX 5 As a freelance reporter/anchor since 2022. Ricardo shares that he has made it a priority to cover today’s stars before the masses knew their names, citing interviews with Heisman trophy winner and Gonzaga College High School alum, Caleb Williams, DeMatha Catholic alum, Chase Young of the New Orleans Saints, and St.
My name is Chad Ricardo. My passion is covering sports and my mission is uplifting the community. By building my own brand, The Ricardo Report, I've specialized in showcasing youth and high school sports, creating organic connections throughout the region.
'Game Time' provides in-depth pre-game analysis of the Washington Commanders as they pursue their ultimate goals.
In short, I am living the dream.
Ricardo will continue to host shows such as LOUD AF, Friday Night Lights, and Game Time.
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