Evelyn Lozada comments on Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson arrest
Chad Johnson, the recently married NFL star formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, is now out of two jobs after his arrest on domestic violence charges Saturday.
VH1 Monday summarily canceled the upcoming reality show "Ev & Ocho," about the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and his new wife, Evelyn Lozada, a former "Basketball Wives" star he married July 4.
"Due to the unfortunate events over the weekend and the seriousness of the allegations, VH1 is pulling the series 'Ev & Ocho' from its schedule and has no current plans of airing it," the network said in a statement. The show had been scheduled to premiere Sept. 3.
Johnson, 34, was released from jail Sunday on $2,500 bond, and within hours saw his Miami Dolphins contract terminated. Before Johnson's release, Dolphins coach Joe Philbin told the media, "We're going to deal with this. We're not going to waste time."
Lozada issued her first statement Tuesday since the football star's arrest for allegedly head-butting her. The altercation took place in the Miami area Saturday.
Lozada says she's "deeply disappointed" that her estranged husband hasn't taken responsibility for his actions. She says he made false accusations against her: Johnson told police she head-butted him.
Lozada says she hopes that by taking a stand, she will encourage other women to "break their silence" on the issue of domestic violence.
Police in Davie, Fla., where the Dolphins train, told The Miami Herald that Lozada had become upset after finding a receipt for a box of condoms while unloading groceries from their car. The newspaper said that according to an arrest affidavit, the two re-entered the car to discuss the receipt when Johnson allegedly head-butted Lozada.
Lozada ran to a neighbor's house and called police. A responding officer found her with "a pretty good-sized laceration on her forehead," Davie police Capt. Dale Engle told the Herald, while Johnson had no visible marks. Johnson told police the couple had argued, but Lozada had head-butted him.
Johnson's attorney, Adam Swickle, told the Herald an order has been issued preventing Johnson from contacting Lozada. He did not comment further.
Johnson also will no longer be part of the HBO reality series "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins." A network spokeswoman said the Johnson situation would be addressed in the episode airing Tuesday night at 10.