FOX celebrates National Pickleball Day by hosting game with pros and Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson

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Aug 08 2025

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FOX & Friends celebrated National Pickleball Day -- and pickleball's 60th birthday -- with a live game from Grand Central Terminal in New York City on Friday morning featuring multiple pickleball pros and former NFL star Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson.

Fox News reporter Griff Jenkins joined pros Zane Navratil and Genie Bouchard along with Johnson for an exhibition match on the first-ever pickleball court inside the historic building -- set up in Vanderbilt Hall.

Throughout the weekend, DoorDash and Major League Pickleball will be hosting Pickleball in the Hall, welcoming people to play for free with clinics led by local pros and reserved open play for all ages and skill levels.

Johnson's swagger was on full display throughout the game, even if he was a little outmatched by Navratil and Bouchard.

"It’s all about confidence," he said. "Anything you approach, no matter whether it’s your first time doing it or you’ve done it 100 times, it’s all confidence and pretending like you know what you’re doing."

Read next: NBA star Luka Dončić credits pickleball for offseason weight loss

Bouchard, who recently retired from professional tennis, touted the social aspect of pickleball as a main reason she joined the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball.

"Pickleball is taking over," she said. "Everyone in the country is obsessed with it, so it’s fun to be a part of something that’s growing so much."

New York City will also host the MLP Finals later this month in Central Park. Click here to purchase tickets to the event, which runs from Aug. 22-24.

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