A long time ago in the eras of Pete Rozelle and Paul Tagliabue, the NFL was a much more forgiving league. Players personal lives and off field antics were not up for debate or scrutiny. Players only faced suspension when they indulged in drug use or activities that effected their on field play. Nowadays in the era of Roger Goddell the NFL has began to crackdown on players and the things they do in their personal lives that reflect poorly upon the NFL. The latest player to face this is Chad Johnson. After a domestic violence incident involving his new wife, Miami Dolphins were quick to cut the wide receiver from their roster. This was quickly followed by the cancellation of his forthcoming reality show.
The fall from the heights of football stardom to former player were not filled with lots of issues in Johnson's case. There aren't stories of strip clubs, parties, drugs, guns, dogs, etc. No, Johnson's worst antics were his showboating and loud mouth. He may have been obnoxious and annoying at times, but overall Johnson was a good player and reliable receiver. His last year in Cincinnati saw him beaten out in receptions by Terrell Owens and him ultimately signing with the Patriots which didn't pan out well. Johnson never performed up to his expected level for the Pats and was cut in the off-season finding his way to the Dolphins. Now with this debacle has the door finally closed on Johnson's career? Johnson is now 34 and while still capable, has not played up to the level of his 1st few years in the league. This latest fiasco only serves to tarnish his image and make other teams less comfortable about taking a chance on the aging receiver. A team that does sign him would have to risk the possibility of Johnson facing several games of suspension and with his playing ability questionable at best, no team may be willing to take that chance. If this is in fact the end of his playing days, it is a tragic end to what was once a promising NFL career.
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