Former NFL running back Larry Johnson pleaded no contest today to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an accusation that he beat and choked his ex-girlfriend.
Johnson appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court and was adjudicated guilty of one count each of battery-domestic violence and assault, both misdemeanors, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Johnson’s no contest plea was part of a deal in which a felony charge was dropped.
Johnson will be on probation for one year, perform 48 hours of community service, undergo mandatory counseling and pay a $345 fine. Johnson, who has a history of allegations of violence against women, vowed after his court appearance to obey the terms of his probation.
“I’m just happy to have this behind me and go back to Florida and stay out of trouble for once,” he said.
A 2003 first-round pick of the Chiefs, Johnson was one of the best running backs in football in 2005 and 2006, topping 1,700 yards in both seasons. But injuries, run-ins with coaches and off-field trouble derailed his career, and he was ineffective as he bounced around from the Chiefs to the Bengals to the Redskins to the Dolphins before his career came to an end in 2011.
