Dolphins’ Chad Johnson out of jail on $2,500 bond
FILE - In this March 7, 2012, file photo, NFL football player Chad Johnson, right, poses with his fiancee, Evelyn Lozada, at an event in New York. Johnson was arrested Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, on a domestic violence charge, accused of head-butting Lozada during an argument in front of their home outside Miami. Johnson and Lozada, now married, were at dinner and she confronted him about a receipt she had found for a box of condoms, said Davie police Capt. Dale Engle. The argument got heated and continued on the drive home, he said. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)
DAVIE, Fla. >> As the Miami Dolphins took the field for practice Sunday, Chad Johnson was getting out of jail.
Hours later, he was out of work.
The Dolphins terminated the six-time Pro Bowl receiver’s contract about 24 hours after he was arrested in a domestic battery case involving his wife.
Johnson had been released from jail on $2,500 bond earlier Sunday after his wife accused him of head-butting her during an argument in front of their home. Johnson was charged with simple domestic battery, a misdemeanor.
The confrontation came barely a month after Johnson married Evelyn Lozada, who is on the reality TV show "Basketball Wives." The 34-year-old Johnson had been battling for a spot on the team after a disappointing season with the New England Patriots in 2011.
Following Sunday’s practice, coach Joe Philbin said he would meet soon with Johnson.
"We’re going to deal with this," Philbin said. "We’re not going to waste time. … We’re all in this thing together. Everybody that sets foot in this building, we’re all held to a high standard."
Only five days earlier, Philbin said Johnson’s roster spot could be in jeopardy if he didn’t temper his freewheeling behavior. Johnson annoyed the coach by frequently using profanity during a session with reporters.
Johnson’s defense attorney, Adam Swickle, said an order has been issued that prevents Johnson from contacting Lozada. Swickle declined to comment further.
Johnson — who recently changed his name from Chad Ochocinco — was arrested Saturday after Lozada confronted him about a receipt she found for a box of condoms, police said. According to an arrest affidavit, Lozada said she was taking groceries into their home when she found the receipt in the car trunk.
When the two were seated back in the car, they began talking about the receipt and their marriage. That’s when Johnson got upset and head-butted his wife, the report said.
Lozada ran to a neighbor’s house and called police. A responding officer said Lozada had a 3-inch cut on her forehead, according to the affidavit, while Johnson did not have any visible marks or bruises. When questioned by police, he confirmed there was an argument over the receipt, but said his wife had head-butted him.
Even before his arrest, Johnson was battling to salvage his career. He was released by the Patriots after totaling only 15 receptions last season. He dropped the lone pass thrown his way Friday night in the Dolphins’ first exhibition game.
