Former NFL wide reciever and current ESPN analyst, Keyshawn Johnson, was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence early yesterday morning in Calabasa, CA, TMZ.com reports.
According to the report, sources claim that Keyshawn never actually hit the woman, identified only as his girlfriend, “Jennifer.” Witnesses allege that he smashed the girlfriend’s phone causing a cut to her hand.
Sgt. Carmen Arballo of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, provided a brief comment on the incident, “When deputies arrived, it was determined that the resident and his ex-girlfriend were involved in a domestic dispute.”
Johnson, 41, has posted bail and is currently out on a $20,000 bond.
The number one overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft, Keyshawn played for four different teams (New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers) in his 11 years as a wide receiver in the NFL. Johnson won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Buccaneers in 2003.
The prolific receiver was a polarizing player during his years on the field, but is perhaps even more famous for his 1997 autobiography, “Just Give Me the Damn Ball,” in which he rips his (then) New York Jets teammates, coaches, and management alike.
After retiring from the NFL in 2007, the former USC Trojan joined ESPN as a football analyst. He currently appears on ESPN’s “NFL Countdown” on Sundays and Mondays.
The sports network is reporting the story on their website, although they have not yet indicated what disciplinary action, if any, the analyst will face
In a statement released, Johnson expressed his remorse, “I would like to apologize to my family, friends, fans, colleagues and, of course, to Jennifer for what happened last night at my home in Calabasas. Though the true facts will come out as part of the legal process, I can say now, without hesitation, that I did not hit, grab or strike Jennifer, nor would I ever touch her or any woman in anger. I am cooperating with the authorities and will continue to do so to ensure that this personal matter is fairly and expediently resolved.”
TMZ.com updated their original story earlier this afternoon with a video of the three time NFL Pro Bowler and Jennifer, his girlfriend of seven years, out together at an AT&T store most likely to purchase a new cell phone.
Johnson was most recently front page news in May of last year when he claims to have chased neighbor, Justin Bieber after he allegedly saw the pop singer around their gated Calabasas, Los Angeles community in his white Ferrari.
This is presumably the first time that Keyshawn has been arrested.