I thought that Chad Johnson was one of the smart athletes we have out there. Even though he is loud, I thought that he was playing the system and was trying to make money outside the NFL, which is always a smart move because you’re always one injury away from being cut by any team. I was wrong. No smart man would marry a groupie…I mean seriously… Did he think that this marriage would last?
Chad Johnson is now on the receiving end of a divorce filing – and he’s apologizing for the domestic dispute that landed him in jail.
The former Miami Dolphins wide receiver – until recently known as Chad Ochocinco – is named in the court paperwork filed Tuesday in Florida by his wife of six weeks Evelyn Lozada, her rep told the Daily News.
“I would like to apologize to everyone for the recent events that have occurred. I would like to wish Evelyn well and will never say anything bad about her because I truly love her to death,” Johnson said in a statement on his website Tuesday.
Best known for her appearance on the reality show “Basketball Wives,” Lozada pulled the plug on their union after telling cops Johnson turned violent Saturday evening when she confronted him over a receipt for condoms found in his car.
“Given recent events in my client’s life, she has decided to file for divorce and move forward with her life,” lawyer Michael Gilden told The News.
GUSTAVO CABALLERO/GETTY IMAGES
Chad Johnson is released from the Broward County Jail following his arrest on domestic violence charges Aug. 12.
Johnson, 34, was arrested on suspicion he head butted Lozada and caused a 3-inch gash on her forehead, police said.
He told authorities that it was Lozada who lost her cool and head butted him.
“I am deeply disappointed that Chad has failed to take responsibility for his actions and made false accusations against me,” Lozada, 36, said in an earlier statement obtained by The News. “It is my sincere hope that he seeks the help he needs to overcome his troubles. Domestic violence is not okay and hopefully my taking a stand will help encourage other women to break their silence as well.”
In a 911 released by police Monday, Lozada is heard in the background telling a neighbor that Johnson was to blame.
“She probably is gonna need stitches,” the neighbor told the emergency dispatcher after Lozada fled to his residence.
The neighbor called the incident a “little domestic dispute” and asked the 911 operator to “not make a big scene about it.”
CHRISTOPHER POLK/GETTY IMAGES FOR PEPSICO
NFL player Chad Johnson and Evelyn Lozada at the PepsiCo Super Bowl Weekend Kickoff Party in February 2011.
He also expressed concern Johnson was out searching for his wife.
“I don’t want him to come in here and get mad at me,” the neighbor said. “We don’t know if he’s home, or looking for her, or calmed down.”
Shortly after Johnson’s arrest, the Miami Dolphins dropped him from the team and VH1 canceled an upcoming reality show about the couple.
“Due to the unfortunate events over the weekend and the seriousness of the allegations, VH1 is pulling the series ‘Ev and Ocho’ from its schedule and has no current plans of airing it,” the cable station said in a statement.
MIKE COLON/LO/GETTY IMAGES
Chad Ochocinco and Evelyn Lozada marry at Le Chateau des Palmiers July 4, in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antillies.
The series was to include the couple’s July 4 wedding.
Johnson was released from a Fort Lauderdale jail Sunday morning on $2,500 bond, TZ.com reported.
“I will continue to be positive and train hard for another opportunity in the NFL,” he said in his apology. “To all the fans and supporters I have disappointed, you have my sincerest apologies. I will stay positive and get through this tough period in my life.”
