Over the weekend, Johnson (formerly known as “Ochocinco”) was arrested for misdemeanor domestic-abuse charges after allegedly headbutting his new bride outside of their home. And as soon as Johnson was out of jail, the Dolphins cut him from the team. Miami Herald:
Chad Johnson’s Sunday began in county lockup. It ended with him out of a job.
The Dolphins wasted little time in cutting ties with their embattled receiver, releasing him just hours after he walked out of the Broward County jail.
Johnson faces misdemeanor domestic abuse charges after allegedly head-butting his wife, reality TV star Evelyn Lozada, in front of their Davie home Saturday night. Cops were called, and Lozada, who suffered a three-inch cut on her forehead, plans to press charges, police say.
Johnson made bond about the same time the Dolphins were starting practice Sunday, and was obviously absent. Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said later in the afternoon he had not yet spoken to Johnson, but planned to do so immediately.
The conversation did not go well for the receiver formerly known as Ochocinco. Johnson was already on thin ice with the organization after a crude, profanity sprinkled news conference two weeks ago, which earned a stern dressing down by his coach. The lecture was caught by NFL Films cameras and aired on the season premiere of HBO’s Hard Knocks last Tuesday.
Johnson, 34, was supposed to be the go-to receiver in Miami, his hometown and place where he had hoped to resurrect his career.
After 10 sterling seasons in Cincinnati, the Bengals grew tired of his colorful antics, and traded him to New England. Johnson struggled with the Patriots last year, catching just 15 passes.
The Patriots cut him over the summer, and Miami took a chance on him with a no-risk, incentive-laden contract. By cutting him before the season, the Dolphins don’t owe him a dime.
The rest here.