Chad Johnson was once considered one of the NFL's best wide receivers as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. Now, he will be serving jail time stemming from a domestic violence case.
Per the NFL on ESPN Twitter feed:
Johnson and his attorney were attempting to negotiate a plea deal that could have resulted in no jail time, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, but Johnson's courtroom antics ultimately did him in.
The former Bengals and New England Patriots receiver reportedly slapped his male attorney on the posterior in court, according to the Sun Sentinel, which angered Judge Kathleen McHugh of Broward County in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
She reportedly said to Johnson:
Despite Johnson's apology, the judge refused to grant him a reprieve and his plea deal was rejected.
Attorney Evan Rosenberg Tweeted a picture of Johnson's reaction:
This is yet another blow for Johnson, who has had a rough go of it since being traded from Cincinnati to New England back in 2011. Johnson had just 15 catches for 276 yards in one season with the Patriots before being released. He signed with the Miami Dolphins prior to last season, but he was released the day after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his ex-wife.
Although Johnson hasn't officially announced his retirement from the NFL, no team signed him following his release from the Dolphins, and there hasn't been much talk about teams having interest in him this offseason either.
Serving 30 days of jail time certainly won't help his case as teams may be unwilling to put up with his distractions now that he is 35 years old and his skills have waned.
Even if Johnson refuses to shut the door on his playing career, the cell door will soon be shut on him, which may signify the end of his NFL career.
Per the NFL on ESPN Twitter feed:
Johnson and his attorney were attempting to negotiate a plea deal that could have resulted in no jail time, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, but Johnson's courtroom antics ultimately did him in.
The former Bengals and New England Patriots receiver reportedly slapped his male attorney on the posterior in court, according to the Sun Sentinel, which angered Judge Kathleen McHugh of Broward County in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
She reportedly said to Johnson:
"Mr. Johnson, I don't know that you're taking this whole thing seriously," McHugh said. "I'm not going to accept these plea negotiations. This isn't a joke."
Johnson tried to explain himself, "I had no intent to make this a joke, because my life is in shambles right now."Despite Johnson's apology, the judge refused to grant him a reprieve and his plea deal was rejected.
Attorney Evan Rosenberg Tweeted a picture of Johnson's reaction:
This is yet another blow for Johnson, who has had a rough go of it since being traded from Cincinnati to New England back in 2011. Johnson had just 15 catches for 276 yards in one season with the Patriots before being released. He signed with the Miami Dolphins prior to last season, but he was released the day after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his ex-wife.
Although Johnson hasn't officially announced his retirement from the NFL, no team signed him following his release from the Dolphins, and there hasn't been much talk about teams having interest in him this offseason either.
Serving 30 days of jail time certainly won't help his case as teams may be unwilling to put up with his distractions now that he is 35 years old and his skills have waned.
Even if Johnson refuses to shut the door on his playing career, the cell door will soon be shut on him, which may signify the end of his NFL career.
