It is being reported that Chad Johnson, known better to some NFL fans as Chad Ochocinco who was just fired from the Miami Dolphins, has had domestic violence charges placed against him before. Recently, Johnson was arrested in early August of 2012 for hitting his wife with his head. However, in 2000, while in college, Johnson allegedly slapped his girlfriend. He was found guilty and had to complete a treatment program as part of his sentence. The girlfriend has attempted to contact Johnson's wife, Evelyn Lozada, but has so far been unable to do so. Lozada is reportedly seeking a divorce after being married less than two months. Johnson is not the only NFL player to be charged with domestic violence related crimes. Here is a look at five other NFL players who have had domestic violence related arrests.
In November of 2011, Erik Walden spent the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in jail. The Green Bay Packers player had been initially charged with a felony after allegedly hitting his girlfriend but, in early 2012, he agreed to a plea agreement that included community service. The NFL has suspended the player for one game and he will not be appearing in the first game of the season in September.
In July of 2012, Dez Bryant was arrested for allegedly pushing his mother. Though she did not need medical attention, he was charged with a misdemeanor. There has been no action taken and no verdict reached yet in the case. Bryant is currently a receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.
Jim Brown, who is 76, was a legendary football player. During his time in the NFL, he faced a number of allegations of domestic violence but none that resulted in punishment. In 2000, his then 25 year old wife called the police after he allegedly threatened her and hit her car with a golf club. Though she later claimed he didn't do any of that, he was sentenced to six months in jail after refusing alternative sentences.
Junior Seau
Just two years before he committed suicide, former NFL player Junior Seau had been arrested for allegedly abusing his girlfriend. He was not formally charged in the alleged abuse. The same night as his arrest, he reportedly drove off a cliff. He claimed he had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Chris Cook
In October of 2011, Chris Cook, a cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings, was arrested for felony domestic violence after allegedly strangling his girlfriend. He was then suspended by the team. At trial, he was acquitted reportedly due to a lack of physical evidence.
Though Kristin Watt is not a fan of all sports, she does follow the news on most sports religiously. Major news events in sport do tend to ripple out to others and she makes sure that she never misses the big stories.
