Last week, a video of De’Andre Johnson punching a female bar patron was released by the Tallahassee Democrat. In the footage, Johnson bumped into the victim while going to the bar, which resulted in the situation escalating and her throwing a jab. Instead of walking away, Johnson struck back, punching her in the face. He was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery. As a result of the footage, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher decided to release the young quarterback.

Since then, his lawyer released a statement, claiming that De’Andre was truly sorry for his actions but he did not instigate the fight. However, in an interview with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America, he finally opened up about the incident and took responsibility for throwing that punch.

De’Andre Johnson Apologizes

“There is no explanation for that,” he told interviewer Michael Strahan. “I totally should have walked away. I’m sorry. If I could do it all over again, I would.”

Now, his lawyer initially stated that the victim instigated the fight and allegedly used a racial slur. However, De’Andre is not going to use that as an excuse: “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I shouldn’t have raised my hand to her. I should’ve walked away.”

And most importantly, he apologized to the victim and her family: “I would like to say to her and her family that I’m sorry. No words can describe this feeling.” But he still believes that he deserves a second chance and his lawyer Jose Baez does not think one incident should define De’Andre’s life.

Yet only time will tell if another college team will take a chance on the former FSU QB. For now, he has been volunteering at a battered women shelter, focusing on his education and attempting to learn from the experience.

De’Andre Johnson has officially been dismissed by FSU.

The athlete, who was called Florida’s “Mr. Football,” was originally suspended after being charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly striking a female during a June 24 bar incident. But now, a video, originally released by Tallahassee Democrat, displayed the graphic incident.

On the surveillance tape, Johnson attempted to make his way to the counter at a crowded bar. As a result, he pushed his way past the 21-year-old female victim. This resulted in a confrontation, where she balled her fist, causing De’Andre to grab it. This only escalated the situation, as she raised her knee and threw a punch. Johnson immediately retaliated and connected with a right hand.

The punch left her bleeding, as she suffered a cut beneath her nose, bruising to her left eye and some swelling on her face, according to ESPN’s copy of the police report.

He later surrendered to police on June 30 and was released on bail.

De’Andre Johnson Released

After the video’s release, FSU decided to dismiss the freshman. FSU officials and the coaching staff claimed to have not seen the video until it was released on the Tallahassee Democrat website, according to ESPN.

As for Johnson, he hired famous defense attorney Jose Baez, who released a statement.

“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,” Baez told Noles247. “He is currently participating in community service and faith-based programs focused on battered women, substance abuse and the empowerment of children. 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.”

And while Johnson’s family knows that the former FSU QB was in the wrong, they believe the victim should have been charged too: she swung first in the video and allegedly stated, “Get off me you f**king n***er,” according to TMZ Sports report. Now, it is unclear whether the latter was true because the video does not have sound, but State Attorney Willie Meggs shot down the possibility of charging the female victim.

De’Andre Johnson was a highly sought out high school athlete, passing for 3,710 yards and rushing for 398 yards with 56 total touchdowns while playing for First Coast High in 2014.