Florida State's De’Andre Johnson Claims Woman He Hit Used N-Word, University Dismisses Him From Football Team

Florida State De’Andre Johnson — Representatives for Florida State freshman quarterback De’Andre Johnson said Monday that the woman he hit last month at a bar, had used the N-word against him. In this photo, Johnson runs to the sideline following a rushing touchdown against the Garnet team during Florida State's Garnet and Gold spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium on April 11, 2015 in Tallahassee, Florida. Getty Images/Stacy Revere

Representatives of Florida State University's quarterback De’Andre Johnson said that the woman he hit in a Tallahasse, Florida, bar fight last month aggravated him by using the N-word, TMZ reported Monday. Johnson was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery on June 30 by Florida State Attorney Willie Meggs, who watched the bar's security footage.

The 19-year old freshman, who enrolled in January, claims that the woman said, "Get off me you f------ n-----," when he bumped into her at the bar trying to get a spot on June 24. Johnson’s representatives also reportedly told TMZ that they have witnesses, who heard the racial abuse and were willing to testify. Johnson and the woman were seen scuffling at the bar. She reportedly hit him and Johnson responded by hitting back with a right hook that knocked off cups from the bar. Johnson, who was named Mr. Football as a high-school senior, is seen leaving the frame while the woman tries to recover from the blow, the security footage reportedly showed.

"While it is clear from the video that De'Andre Johnson was not the initial aggressor, his family wants to take the lead in helping him learn and grow from this experience,” Jose Baez, Johnson’s attorney, said in a statement on Monday, according to the Washington Post, adding: “De’Andre is extremely embarrassed by this situation and would like to express his heartfelt apologies to everyone, including those who were directly affected, Coach Fisher and his team mates, the entire Florida State University community, as well as his family and friends.”

Florida State University had suspended Johnson indefinitely after the incident, but on Monday he was dismissed from the university's football team. Johnson, who turned himself in to the Leon County jail last week after an arrest warrant was issued, was later released on a $500 bond.

The woman, assaulted by Johnson, suffered "bruising under her left eye, swelling to the left cheek and upper lip and a small cut on the bridge of her nose," the Los Angeles Times reported.