Florida State quarterback De’Andre Johnson’s attempts of being the next Jameis Winston have both succeeded and failed miserably.
If it’s controversy he wanted, consider it mission accomplished after he was just dropped from the team over a bar fight with a woman who was caught on tape.
Last month, Johnson was seen at Yianni’s nightclub in Tallahassee, Florida on June 24 getting into a scuffle with a woman who was sitting down. After things got physical, she punched the 19-year-old athlete in the face, prompting him to retaliate, knocking her out of her chair. According to documents obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat, the woman suffered bruising near her left eye, swelling of the left cheek and upper lip, and a small cut near the bridge of her nose as a result of the punch.
Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher announced Monday, July 6, that they had removed Johnson from the team and Florida State University President John Thrasher released a statement:
I fully support Coach Fisher’s decisions to immediately suspend and subsequently dismiss De’Andre Johnson from the football team. While it is always important to adhere to due process, having now seen the physical altercation captured on video, there is no question in my mind that Coach Fisher made the correct decisions. I expect all students at Florida State University, including student-athletes, to adhere to the highest level of conduct. I have no tolerance for the kind of behavior exhibited in this case.
Florida State University was forged from an outstanding college for women and has a long tradition of being a caring community that demands students be treated with dignity and respect. All students must know their university will do everything it can to ensure a safe, healthy and positive environment in which they can learn and enjoy their college experience. As president, I am committed to maintaining such an environment at FSU.
Johnson has since hired lawyer Jose Baez (previously known as Casey Anthony’s saving grace) and they released a statement on the ordeal.
“While it is clear from the video that De’Andre Johnson was not the initial aggressor, his family wants to take the lead in helping him learn and grow from this experience,” Baez wrote.
“He is currently participating in community service, and faith-based focused on battered women, substance abuse, and the empowerment of children. De’Andre is extremely embarrassed by this situation and would like to express his heartfelt apologies to everyone, including those who were directly affected, Coach Fisher and his teammates, the entire Florida State community, as well as his family and friends.”
Johnson now faces charges of misdemeanor battery.
—
Photo: Leon County Jail
