Chad Johnson…Comeback?

Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson and Basketball Wives reality television star Evelyn Lozada are over, but it seems like most people aren’t ready to move on from the controversy that caused the couple to call it quits. Chad Johnson has pleaded no contest to a domestic violence charge involving his then-wife, Evelyn Lozada. Johnson was sentenced to a year’s probation and a counseling course under a plea deal with prosecutors. Johnson also must pay Lozada unspecified restitution.

Chad Johnson is no stranger to domestic violence. The former NFL star was found guilty of battering a woman in 2000, 12 years before he allegedly struck again. According to court records, Johnson was arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery in L.A. on February 7, 2000, just before he began playing football for Oregon State University. Sources close to the case say the victim was his girlfriend at the time, and she told police the football star had slapped her in the face after he accused her of cheating on him. According to court records, Johnson 22 years old at the time pled no contest, and the court found him guilty of domestic battery. Johnson was sentenced to 3 years probation and ordered to serve 45 days in L.A. County Jail. But Johnson struck a deal with the court which allowed him to avoid jail as long as he completed 30 days of graffiti removal work with CalTrans. Johnson was also required to complete a 12 month batterer’s counseling program and ordered to stay 100 yards away from the victim.

Even with Chad’s past legal problems many people still speculate that it was more to the story than an argument over a box of condoms enraging Chad to the point of head butting his star wife. Because of Evelyn’s horrible behavior on Basketball Wives, many began to question Evelyn’s innocence in the whole matter. Some even went as far as saying that Evelyn ruined Chad’s life.

Not too long after being arrested for assaulting Evelyn, Chad seemed to lose everything. He first lost his job as a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, then coconut water brand Zico tells ESPN.com that their endorsement deal with Johnson was over, he and Evelyn lost their show that was scheduled to debut on VH1 this Fall, and then he abruptly lost Evelyn and the undisclosed settle he had to pay to her. Totaling Chad Johnson has lost millions due to the assault.

So, what’s next for Chad Johnson? There might be interest once injuries start racking up, but Chad could possibly be looking at a suspension once a team did sign him, so that might hinder a team from agreeing to a contract with him. Especially when receivers like Terrell Owen and Plaxico Burress are sitting on their couches waiting for the same phone call. Chad would be an awesome sports commentator. He’s funny, well spoken, and very knowledge of the game of football. But name a network that would hire Chad just months after pleading no contest on assault charges.
I am not a fan of a man hitting a woman, but I am a fan of Chad Johnson. So, I am cheering for Chad to make a comeback, but it is probably safe to say his future in the NFL is non-existent for a while.•