Ex-NFL star Jamal Lewis: “I’ll take care of my kid, if he’s mine”
Former NFL running back Jamal Lewis said that he is willing to accept responsibility for a child he’s accused of abandoning — but he wants to make sure first that the kid is really his.
According to reports, Juanitta Johnson — the alleged baby mama of 33-year-old Jamal Lewis — filed a paternity action against the football star back in July, claiming that he had her pregnant in 2005 and has since failed to give money to support their child.
On August 1, Jamal Lewis was arrested by the authorities for failing to pay child support and was subsequently charged with misdemeanor child abandonment. Lewis called the arrest “a misunderstanding.”
But now, reports said that the former Baltimore Ravens running back is going to court in Fulton County, claiming that he does not want to fork in money for child support — not until he is 100% sure that the kid is his — with the help of a DNA test.
In case paternity is established, Jamal Lewis said he would be happy to give money in child support. He added that he wants to have visitation rights.
Juanitta Johnson is asking the football player for $5,236 a month in support, which might prove to be difficult, given that Lewis filed for bankruptcy back in May.
But sources close to the football star said that his relationship with Johnson has deteriorated to the point that they only communicate through legal counsel. While Jamal Lewis has reportedly provided for his son in the past, he simply cannot go on to afford child support payments he made before since he is no longer playing in the National Football League and is going through bankruptcy.
A judge has yet to rule on the case.