The NFL has made a point in recent years of policing domestic violence among its employees, and that evidently does not stop at players. On Tuesday, TMZ reported that the league was investigating line judge Carl Johnson for allegedly hitting his girlfriend so hard that he “busted one of her breast implants.”
ESPN confirmed that the woman filed for a restraining order against Johnson in July but that the request was dismissed by a Louisiana judge and is currently under appeal.
Johnson, who refused comment to TMZ, served as the NFL’s vice president of officiating from 2010-12 before returning to the field to become the league’s first full-time official in 2012. Per ESPN, he is no longer full-time but did work Sunday’s game between the Chiefs and Eagles in Kansas City.
An NFL spokesperson told ESPN it still investigating the allegations against Johnson, so it could be some time before we find out his exactly what happened between him and his girlfriend or what the consequence will be. Officials are reportedly subject to the same domestic violence policy as players, meaning Johnson would likely face a six-game suspension if the league finds that he committed the alleged crime.
The NFL has developed a reputation for botching these investigations (see Elliott, Ezekiel), but maybe since this one will be somewhat out of the spotlight the league will manage to look into it thoroughly, fairly and without constantly glancing over its shoulder at the prevailing public opinion. Or, you know, maybe not.
