Evelyn Lozada filed for divorce from Chad Johnson three days after he allegedly head-butted her during an argument in their driveway.
Lozada claimed the marriage is “irretrievably broken” in legal documents filed in Florida.
Johnson was arrested following a 911 call on Saturday night after an argument started when Lozada claimed she found a receipt for a box of condoms in his car. A Boston woman, 30-year-old Beverly Shiner, has claimed she had an affair with Johnson from January until May this year, according to radaronline.com. Johnson and Lozada were married over the July Fourth weekend.
Lozada released her first official statement since the domestic incident earlier Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness and much trepidation that I release this statement addressing the domestic violence incident that happened this past Saturday,” Lozada said. “I am deeply disappointed that Chad has failed to take responsibility for his actions and made false accusations against me, it is my sincere hope that he seeks the help he needs to overcome his troubles. Domestic violence is not okay and hopefully my taking a stand will help encourage other women to break their silence as well. I’m grateful to my family, friends and fans for the outpouring of support during this difficult time.”
Johnson released his own statement shortly after news of the divorce filing broke.
“I would like to apologize to everyone for the recent events that have occurred,” Johnson said in a release posted on the “OchoCinco News Network.” “I would like to 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. To all the fans and supporters I have disappointed, you have my sincerest apologies. I will stay positive and get through this tough period in my life.”
Johnson and Lozada were scheduled to be featured in a VH1 documentary focused on their marriage. That show has been cancelled.
— Vikings running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on Christmas Eve at Washington.
Peterson will be protected from contact and the Vikings haven’t yet made a determination about his eligibility for preseason games. He has officially been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Bills.
Peterson was activated from the physically unable to perform list Sunday. He and coach Leslie Frazier remain focused on a goal of Peterson playing Sept. 9.
–Former Eagles’ defensive back and assistant coach Jimmy Carr died Monday in Fishers, Ind., at the age of 79.
Carr played nine seasons split between the Chicago Cardinals (1955 and 1957), Eagles (1959-63) and Washington Redskins (1964-65). He started at left cornerback on the Eagles’ 1960 NFL Championship team and collected 13 of his 15 career interceptions while playing in Philadelphia. Carr also played one season with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes in 1958.
He was an NFL assistant coach for 24 years, including two years as the Eagles defensive coordinator (1970-71).
–Denver Broncos right guard Chris Kuper will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a fractured left forearm.
Kuper was injured in Tuesday morning’s training camp practice at the team’s Dove Valley headquarters. Kuper missed the Broncos’ two playoff games in January after dislocating his ankle in the regular-season finale against the Chiefs.
–Saints owner Tom Benson and commissioner Roger Goodell met Tuesday to discuss a forgettable offseason for New Orleans, a planned meeting the league will not confirm.
Benson was among the parties penalized by Goodell for the Saints’ bounty program, which the NFL alleged involved 22 to 27 players being rewarded for punishing hits with a bounty pool orchestrated by then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
—Former Florida running back Jeff Demps is attempting to catch on with an NFL team in time to play this season after participating in Olympic sprinting events for Team USA.
Demps reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds as a junior at Florida.
He could be used as a kickoff returner and third-down back. He had 2,470 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns for the Gators. He averaged 28.8 yards per kickoff return in four seasons at UF.
–The mystery of Brian Urlacher’s prolonged absence from training camp was solved Tuesday.
Urlacher had early morning arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to relieve swelling after missing two weeks of camp for what the Bears and their veteran middle linebacker said was personal reasons. Urlacher reiterated his absence was to tend to a personal matter when asked Monday.
Urlacher had the surgery Tuesday according to the Chicago Tribune. He’s hopeful of being able to play in 26 days when the Bears open the regular season against the Colts at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Urlacher is in the final season of a five-year, $40.6 million deal he signed in 2008.
–Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace is likely to end his holdout and report to the team before the regular season begins.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter cited sources who indicated Wallace would be on the field before the Sunday Night Football season opener against the Broncos.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said at the start of training camp that he’d been keeping tabs on Wallace and felt the receiver would be back “soon.” Roethlisberger checked in with Wallace last week and said he expects the 2011 Pro Bowl starter to be ready to hit the ground running. The Steelers signed Antonio Brown to a five-year, $42.5 million contract during the first week of camp.
–The Cardinals plan to stick to their rotation at quarterback for one more week, meaning Kevin Kolb gets the scheduled start against the Raiders on Friday.
If Kolb isn’t decidedly improved this week, the team’s third preseason game, it could be awhile before he gets another chance with the first team.
ESPN reported Tuesday that John Skelton has emerged as the favorite, but the competition hasn’t yet been called by the Cardinals’ coaching staff.
—Injuries continue to pile up and threaten to sap the depth along the Giants’ defensive line.
Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers is being treated for a blood clot in his lower leg, and coach Tom Coughlin said Tuesday that Rogers’ season is over, according to the New York Daily News. He played in 16 games last year, including four starts.
Defensive tackle Martin Parker has a herniated disc in his back, which will require surgery and he will miss his second straight season. Defensive end Justin Trattou, who has been sidelined with a sprained ankle, has been experiencing issues with his heel and is not expected back on the field for several weeks, according to the team.
Defensive tackle Marvin Austin was being examined Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery for a back issue. Austin missed last year, his rookie season, with a torn pectoral muscle.
Defensive tackle Chris Canty remains on the physically unable to perform list.
—Alterra America Insurance has asked the New York State Supreme Court to clear the firm from defense and liability costs associated with growing litigation from former players suing the NFL for damages stemming from concussions.
ESPN’s Darren Rovell reported Alterra filed the complaint Monday. The company covered the NFL for only one year and the league has policies with multiple insurance companies. Other insurers aren’t known to have asked out of defense or possible claim coverage.
—The Jets waived cornerback Devon Torrence.
Torrence was signed as an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 1. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Vikings in 2011 and was waived after training camp in the team’s final roster cutdown.
He spent two weeks on the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad in December.
—Offensive tackle Max Starks was activated by the Steelers from the physically unable to perform list. He has been recovering from a knee injury.
Pittsburgh also addressed its thin running back position by signing Jason Ford, an undrafted rookie out of Illinois who originally signed with Houston. John Clay, who suffered an undisclosed injury in practice Monday, was placed on the waived/injured list.
—Gordy Soltau will be the 23rd person inducted into the Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame. The three-time All-Pro during the 1950s will be honored for “his outstanding achievements and contributions to the 49ers organization” will be recognized during halftime of the team’s Oct. 14 home game against the Giants.
Soltau spent his entire nine-year career with the 49ers as a receiver and kicker from 1950-58.
—Cornerback Mike Holmes signed with the Jaguars, who waived rookie safety Jeremiah Brown.
Holmes signed with Chicago as an undrafted rookie in 2011 but failed to make the final roster. He signed with Indianapolis on Oct. 12 and was promoted to the active roster Dec. 6 before being waived in May.