Former Florida State QB DeAndre Johnson apologizes: ‘What you saw on the video isn’t who I am’

Former Florida State quarterback DeAndre Johnson publicly apologized for the first time in an interview that aired Tuesday after a video showed him punching a woman at a Tallahassee bar last month.

“I would like to say to her and her family that I am really sorry,” Johnson told Michael Strahan in a segment that ran on “Good Morning America.” “No words can describe this feeling.”

Johnson, 19, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery after officials said he punched a 21-year-old female FSU student June 24 while waiting to be served at Yianni’s nightclub. He was released on $500 bail.

He has pleaded not guilty and is due in court on July 22.

Johnson, a freshman, was dismissed from the Seminoles last week after a video of the incident was made public.

His attorney, Jose Baez, told NBC News later in the week that the woman instigated the incident by using racial slurs and striking Johnson twice before he retaliated. Johnson was given the opportunity to comment on those assertions. He declined.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “What matters is I shouldn’t have raised my hand to her. I should’ve walked away.”

Johnson would not comment when asked whether he had been drinking at the bar that night.

His mother, Pamela Jones, was with her son during the interview. Both of them got emotional when discussing the impact the incident has had on her.

“It kills me inside to know that I hurt her heart,” Johnson said.

Johnson was asked whether he thought he deserved a second chance. “Without a doubt,” he answered.

“What you saw on the video isn’t who I am.”