Florida State Cuts QB De’Andre Johnson after Video of him Punching a Woman Surfaces

By Cheri Cheng - 07 Jul '15 10:37AM

Football season has not even started yet and Florida State is already in deep waters. The university's football program announced that it has dismissed quarterback, De'Andre Johnson after a video of him punching a woman at a bar surfaced.

In the video, which was first published by the Tallahassee Democrat, the 19-year-old football star and the unidentified blond woman appear to get in to a heated altercation. The woman takes a swing at Johnson, who was holding onto her arm. Johnson then punches her right in the face. The incident occurred on June 24 inside Yianni's nightclub in Tallahassee, Florida.

CNN reported that the woman had bruising under her left eye, swelling in her left cheek and upper lip, and a small cut on her nose. The woman is also claiming that she tried to punch the quarterback in order to get him to release her arm.

Johnson was charged with misdemeanor battery. He issued an apology via his attorney, Jose Baez.

The public apology read:

"While it is clear from the video that De'Andre Johnson was not the initial aggressor, his family wants to take the lead in helping him learn and grow from this experience. He is currently participating in community service, and faith-based programs focused on battered women, substance abuse, and the empowerment of children. De'Andre is extremely embarrassed by this situation and would like to express his heartfelt apologies to everyone, including those who were directly affected, Coach Fisher and his team mates, the entire Florida State University community, as well as his family and friends."

The apology was not enough for the university. Within hours after the video surfaced, Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher announced that Johnson, who was put on an indefinite suspension, has been cut from the team.

Johnson is the second quarterback that has made the headlines for alleged bad behavior off the field. Former quarterback, Jameis Winston, who was selected first overall in this year's draft, was accused of rape. Winston stated that the sex was consensual. He was not charged and the university did not find him guilty of violating the student code in regards to sexual assault.