Chad Johnson, Evelyn Lozada officially divorced
Six-time NFL Pro Bowler Chad Johnson and reality TV star Evelyn Lozada are now officially divorced, more than a month after the football star’s arrest due to domestic violence charges.
According to reports, a judge in Florida signed off on the divorce early Wednesday morning, just one month after “Basketball Wives” star Evelyn Lozada filed for divorce from former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson.
Chad Johnson — who was formerly known as Chad Ochocinco in reference to his jersey number 85 — was vying for a roster spot on the Miami Dolphins when Evelyn Lozada accused him on August 12 of headbutting her during a heated argument over a receipt of condoms she found on the football player’s vehicle. After the incident, the Miami Dolphins dropped 34-year-old Johnson from the football team, who is still not on an NFL roster after his stellar seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, and a not-so-great year with the New England Patriots.
During an interview with Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” which is scheduled to air Wednesday, Chad Johnson — who is still facing a misdemeanor battery charge, said that he has decided to take anger management classes.
“I’m trying to find out how can I channel my anger when I’m in situations to where I would pop off,” he said. “How can I diffuse those situations, trigger points?”
Adam Swickle, the attorney of Chad Johnson, said the divorce was governed by a prenuptial agreement that is confidential.
“Being married, being a husband, being a lover, was an honor,” Johnson said in the interview. “And I lost that. And you know that saying … ‘You never know what you have until it’s gone.’ And now I finally know what they mean. I lost two of the things that really meant the most to me. That someone completed my world, completed me, period. But I just hadn’t made that transition to where I needed to be the best man that I could, or best husband that I could. I didn’t make it all the way, fully.”
The football wide receiver changed his surname back to Johnson from the playful Ochocinco that was in reference to his uniform No. 85. He said before that he changed it because of his marriage to Evelyn Lozada in July 4, who stars on the reality TV series “Basketball Wives.”
In the interview, Chad Johnson said he takes full responsibility for the incident.
“Chad has to work on Chad,” the football star said. “Chad has to go deep down inside and figure out where he went wrong. At what point did you lose focus on what’s most important? Like especially the game of football. . At some point I had drifted off track away from that and being one of the best at what I do.”
A representative for Evelyn Lozada said Wednesday’s final divorce hearing was uncontested.
“My client is a single woman and looks forward to her future,” Danika Berry said in an email.
Chad Johnson and Evelyn Lozada were prominent in episodes of HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins.”
Even before his arrest, Chad Johnson was already fighting to salvage his football career. He was released by the New England Patriots after totaling only 15 receptions last season. He dropped the lone pass thrown his way in his lone exhibition game with the Miami Dolphins.
VH1′s “Basketball Wives” is filmed in Miami and also features Shaunie O’Neal, the ex-wife of former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. Evelyn Lozada is the former fiancee of NBA player Antoine Walker.