Chad Johnson Pleads for Miami Dolphins Job on 'Hard Knocks' (VIDEO)
Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson was cut from the Miami Dolphins one day after allegedly headbutting his new wife Evelyn Lozada and the world witnessed his termination in an episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" on Tuesday night.
Johnson, 34-year-old six-time pro bowl wide receiver, was the topic of conversation for Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin, who foreshadowed the wideouts on the most recent episode of the reality sports documentary television series. Johnson's termination began with a scene where Philbin was seen speaking on the telephone about his reasoning for wanting to get rid of the wideout, formerly known as "Ochocinco."
"We had an incident this summer where he was tweeting stuff that he shouldn't have and we had a press conference where he goes off on a tirade, eff this and eff that.Now we've got this thing," Philbin said one day after Johnson was arrested for allegedly headbutting his soon-to-be ex-wife. "And he hasn't been around us a whole long time. His temperament isn't great for us."
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When Philbin's phone conversation ended, Johnson began walking to the coach's office before being prompted to sit down. After the coach inquired if Johnson was alright, the wideout began to apologize for letting his coach down by being arrested the day before for allegedly head-butting his reality television star wife.
"I let you down a little bit. A lot. I understand what you're doing, you got the message across clear the first day we met," Johnson told the coach about his pending termination. "I understood what you wanted from me and what you expected out of me, especially after our talk -- having fun with the media thing. I apologize for embarrassing you, this organization, my teammates."
While the coach said he appreciated Johnson's apology, Philbin also admitted that the 34-year-old was not a good fit for the Dolphins organization.
"I know you're very passionate, and I know you care about your profession. ... I do my best not to fly off the handle and act irrational," Philbin said. "It's just, I don't know that this is working for the benefit of you, me, the Miami Dolphins or anybody else. I think you're a good person."
After the coach acknowledged that people makes mistakes, Johnson attempted to make a case for himself to stay on the team.
"Coach, I've never been in trouble before. Ever. And I buy into your program, most definitely," Johnson said with tears in his eyes. "Because after that talk we had, I was hushed from that point on. And I was gonna stay that way the entire year."
However, the head coach told Johnson that his domestic dispute was not the only reason that he could no longer be a member of the Dolphins.
"It's not really just last night. It's where we are as a program, and where you are, and where we're headed," Philbin said bluntly. "I just don't see the mesh right now. I wish it was different. I wish I could tell you something more encouraging, but I just think it's best for both of us that we kind of part ways at this point in time."
After the head coach assured Johnson that he was not trying to make an example out of his actions, the wide receiver accepted his termination.
"Thank you for the opportunity. I've enjoyed myself," Johnson said. "There's not much more I can say. I appreciate it, though. Thank you for the chance."
At the end of the show, Johnson's termination was finalized when equipment managers began to clean out his locker. Despite the recent loss of his job with the Miami team, Johnson released a statement on his website saying that he would not give up on the NFL.
"I will continue to be positive and train hard for another opportunity in the NFL," Johnson said in the statement. "To all the fans and supporters I have disappointed, you have my sincerest apologies."
