Chad Johnson has plenty of explaining to do. He has yet to have to explain anything to his head coach.
But Chad soon will.
Dolphins coach Joe Philbin opened his Sunday post-practice press conference by reading a statement regarding Johnson’s Saturday night arrest.
“Before we get started I want to just let you guys know, I have not spoken with Chad Johnson yet. However, I do plan to meet with him in the relatively near future,” Philbin said. “Today, I’ve been focused on the football team, the 89 other players that are here today in meetings and practice. At this point, and until I speak with Chad directly, it would be premature for me to make any comments about the situation. So, I’m gonna leave all comments in regard to Chad and [this] particular situation at that.”
Philbin later said that the meeting will happen sooner rather than later.
The first-year coach previously has said that nothing is off limits for the NFL Films cameras and microphones. Thus, his eventual meeting with Johnson will make for must-see TV.
It’s unlikely, however, that it ever will be seen.
Johnson’s lawyers should insist that nothing he says to Philbin be recorded. Even if it’s never aired, prosecutors can subpoena the audio and video in order to possibly use Johnson’s words against him later.
Johnson already has told police that his wife applied a head butt to him, not vice-versa. If he says anything different to Philbin or anyone else, it can all be used against Johnson later, if his wife decides to continue to press charges.
Then again, it could just be a matter of time before Johnson and his wife hold an “everything is fine and we love each other and nobody’s pressing charges” press conference. Until then, Chad needs to be careful about what he says.
The problem is that, with his job likely hinging on what he says and how he says it to Philbin, Johnson may have to soon choose between potentially incriminating himself and potentially getting himself terminated.