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Video shows Florida State quarterback punching woman at a bar

Posted at 6:26 AM, Jul 07, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-07 06:39:13-04

The moment captured on camera escalates quickly.

In one frame, Florida State University quarterback De’Andre Johnson, 19, is seen arguing with a woman at a crowded bar.

In the next frame, she raises a fist.

He grabs her arm. She attempts to hit him. He punches her in the face.

Although the surveillance video was released Monday, the incident took place June 24, inside Yianni’s nightclub in Tallahassee, Florida.

On June 25, the head football coach at FSU, Jimbo Fisher, announced Johnson’s indefinite suspension for a violation of athletic department policy. Fisher later said that Johnson had been dismissed from the team, effective immediately.

The former freshman quarterback is also being charged with battery.

The woman in the video suffered bruising under her left eye, swelling to the left cheek and upper lip, and a small cut near the bridge of her nose, according to court documents.

The documents say the victim raised her arm to defend herself, and tried to strike Johnson to release his grip. She remained at the bar while Johnson left with others.

“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. He is currently participating in community service, and faith-based programs focused on battered women, substance abuse, and the empowerment of children,” said his attorney, Jose Baez.

“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 teammates, the entire Florida State University community, as well as his family and friends.”

Johnson is not the first FSU quarterback to be the subject of headlines for alleged behavior off the field.

Jameis Winston, the former Florida State University quarterback-turned-top NFL draft pick, was accused of rape, stemming from an incident in 2012.

He said the sex was consensual.

Winston was not charged, and has since filed a counterclaim against his accuser.