An attorney representing De'Andre Johnson, Jose Baez, accused the woman his client punched in the face at a Tallahassee bar of provoking him with racial slurs.
Speaking to NBC News, Baez indicated the woman started the confrontation that led to the former Florida State quarterback punching her in the face. However, Baez previously stated Johnson is "embarrassed" and is "owning" up to what he did.
The surveillance footage, released by the State Attorney's Office in Tallahassee, shows the two jostling for position at the bar's counter when the woman, 21, wheeled on him with her fist raised. Johnson, 19, then grabbed her wrist, at which time she kneed him in the groin and threw a fist at toward his face, but it is unclear if she hit him. Johnson then punched her in the face and apparently left the bar.
Video below can be considered graphic.
Baez told NBC News Johnson grabbing the woman's wrist was an effort to "deescalate the situation." Baez indicated the point at which she kneed and swung at his client was when she directed "racial epithets" at Johnson.
"It wasn't until she struck him twice that he reacted," Baez said. "But he is very... He is very regretful that he didn't turn around and walk away immediately.
"He makes no excuses for what happened."
According to court documents, the woman yelled "no" at Johnson and was trying to defend herself before he punched her. She sustained bruising to her left eye, a cut on her nose and swelling in her cheek.
Florida State University (FSU) head football coach Jimbo Fisher initially placed Johnson under indefinite suspension, but dismissed the backup QB upon the video's release. FSU President John Thrasher supported Fisher's decision in a recent statement, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
"I expect all students at Florida State University, including student-athletes, to adhere to the highest level of conduct," Thrasher said. "I have no tolerance for the kind of behavior exhibited in this case."
Baez received a bachelor's degree from FSU before earning his Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Baez became nationally known for serving as Casey Anthony's lead attorney.
