Just to be clear, just about everyone is entitled to a second chance, even those caught on security camera punching a woman right in the face at a bar. What you do with such a second chance may not erase what happened before, but every college football player is fully capable of changing their ways and getting back on the right track. This is the situation for former Florida State quarterback De’Andre Johnson, who has now enrolled at East Mississippi Community College after being dismissed from Florida State earlier this summer.
Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com reported Friday afternoon Johnson had enrolled at the community college, saying he expects to play football this fall. Classes begin on Monday for Johnson.
Johnson was indefinitely suspended by Florida State in early July after being accused of hitting a woman at a bar. He was charged for misdemeanor battery by local authorities, and that was soon followed up by the revealed security footage showing the act in all its viciousness. Once that video made the rounds, Florida State dismissed Johnson from the program. This, coupled with the ongoing Dalvin Cook situation eerily similar in circumstances, led Florida State president to step in and meet with the football program to ensure players on the football program are educated about behavior. A course specifically designed to focus on off-field responsibilities has now been outlined.
As for Johnson, a former four-star recruit, the time to make changes is now. Gone is the spotlight that comes with being a Florida State player, but if he can clean up his act off the field and put in work on it, then he will very likely be given another chance to play big time college football somewhere in the future. Scouts will be sure to keep tabs on his performance on the field while continuing to monitor what happens off the field. It is not too late to turn things around and play out a successful career in college football.
People can change. They do so all the time. Here’s hoping Johnson has truly learned his lesson and will become a better man because of it.