Terrell Owens paid a visit to friend and former teammate Chad Johnson in a Broward County, Florida, jail this weekend, saying it was a “humbling experience” to see Johnson behind bars.
Owens, who played with Johnson on the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, posted about his visit on his Twitter page.
“Just visited the homie @ochocinco. He’s in good spirits, he needs a haircut already tho. Lol. He sends his best regards to everyone,” Owens wrote.
Terrell Owens said his visit was the first for Johnson.
“I really didn’t know what to expect but to see the homie locked up is a very humbling experience, to talk to him via vid conference let me know that’s not where anyone wants to be. I know he’s only in the county jail but to someone that has never been locked up…Jail is Jail!”
It originally appeared as if Chad Johnson would be able to avoid jail. He had a plea bargain in place after violating his parole , but while in court Johnson slapped his lawyer Adam Swickle on the rear end, prompting laughter from the courtroom but drawing the ire of Broward County Circuit Judge Kathleen McHugh.
She scolded Johnson before rescinding the plea bargain, sentencing him to 30 days of jail .
For Terrell Owens, the jail visit may have been especially “humbling” as he contemplates his own past and the mistakes that led him to an early exit from the league. After being cut by the Seattle Seahawks last year in training camp, Owens watched the season from his home, but now said he’s ready for a comeback.
“If I don’t play this year, I’m retiring,” Owens said. “That’s just me being realistic. I want to play again. I want to go out on top with a team. I think I can still play, but if I don’t sign with a team, it would be time to retire. I have to be honest with myself.”
But NFL insiders say Terrell Owens faces long odds , as he’s burned too many bridges during his career.