Chad Johnson pleads not guilty to misdemeanor battery charge

Chad Johnson, a former NFL receiver, faces up to one year in jail after he was charged Wednesday with misdemeanor battery. He entered a plea of not guilty in a Florida court Thursday morning.

The Broward County state attorney filed the charges against Johnson for allegedly headbutting his wife during an argument on Aug. 11 at their home in Davie, Fla. The argument began when Johnson’s wife, reality TV star Evelyn Lozada, found a receipt for condoms.

Johnson was in training camp with the Miami Dolphins when the incident and subsequent arrest took place. The Dolphins immediately cut him and Lozada soon filed for divorce. The couple had only been together one month when the altercation took place.

Lozada, who was previously married to NBA player Antoine Walker, is on the VH1 reality series “Basketball Wives.”

Johnson, 34 and a 12-year veteran who changed his name for a time to Chad Ochocinco, released a statement after his arrest that read in part: “I would like to apologize to everyone for the recent events that have occurred. I wish Evelyn well and will never say anything bad about her because I truly love her to death. I will continue to be positive and train hard for another opportunity in the NFL.”

If convicted of misdemeanor battery, Johnson would face a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. He could also be ordered to perform community service, probation or anger-management classes.

Wire service and Internet reports contributed to this story.

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