The Miami Dolphins cut wide receiver Chad Johnson just one day after his domestic violence arrest, USA Today reports . Johnson posted his $2500 bond just hours before the team dropped him.
The 34-year-old was arrested for assaulting his wife Evelyn Lozada Saturday night. The two began dating in 2010, but didn’t marry until July 4 this year. Johnson told police that Lozada, who stars in the VH1 reality show “Basketball Wives,” headbutted him after a confrontation over a receipt for a box of condoms. Johnson had no visible marks or bruises, but Lozada was treated at a hospital for a cut on her forehead. Johnson was charged with domestic battery and faces a maximum of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine if convicted.
Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said that he hadn’t spoken to Johnson after his arrest, but planned to do so in a timely manner. However, the Miami Herald reported that the decision to cut Johnson came from Philbin, but how Johnson was informed that he had been dropped — or if a meeting with his coach had ever taken place — was not reported.
The team later announced their decision on Twitter , amid a bit of controversy from fans who believed they should have gotten the full details of the case before deciding to drop Johnson.
Johnson was hoping to rebound from a disappointing season with the New England Patriots last year, but apparently his spot on the Dolphins was already in danger because of his “freewheeling behavior.” Just five days ago, Philbin — who is in his first year as a head coach — said he was annoyed by Johnson’s use of profanity during press sessions. However, the athlete received the support of his some of his former teammates in the wake of his arrest. Receiver Davone Bass said the team was there for him “in this tough time” and that “we all run into situations. It’s life.”
Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler, signed to Miami in June four days after he was released by the Patriots. He caught only 15 passes in 15 games with New England after he was acquired in a trade for a pair of draft picks, and failed to catch the only pass thrown to him in Miami’s 20-7 loss to Tampa Bay Friday night.
What do you think of Miami’s decision to cut Chad Johnson?