Athletes and Domestic Violence

Reports of domestic violence can tear apart relationships.

Chad Johnson and Evelyn Lozoda - More than two million adults — and more than 15 million children — are exposed to domestic violence every single year, according to recent estimates from the U.S. Department of Justice. In the sports world, domestic violence has plagued some players and their mates, and the accusations of abuse continue. — Britt Middleton Chad Johnson was arrested for domestic abuse after he allegedly head-butted his wife, Basketball Wives star Evelyn Lozada, during an argument on Aug. 11. He is expected to appear before a judge to face charges. Johnson was convicted in 2000 of battering his then-girlfriend. (Photo: Mike Colon/LO/Getty Images)

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Chad Johnson and Evelyn Lozoda - More than two million adults — and more than 15 million children — are exposed to domestic violence every single year, according to recent estimates from the U.S. Department of Justice. In the sports world, domestic violence has plagued some players and their mates, and the accusations of abuse continue. — Britt Middleton Chad Johnson was arrested for domestic abuse after he allegedly head-butted his wife, Basketball Wives star Evelyn Lozada, during an argument on Aug. 11. He is expected to appear before a judge to face charges. Johnson was convicted in 2000 of battering his then-girlfriend. (Photo: Mike Colon/LO/Getty Images)

Photo By Mike Colon/LO/Getty Images

Deion and Pilar Sanders - Pilar Sanders, the estranged wife of former Dallas Cowboys star Deion Sanders, was arrested on Monday on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Her soon-to-be-ex-husband rehashed the details on Twitter on Monday, tweeting that his children “just witnessed their mother and a friend jump me in my room.” Deion Sanders filed for divorce from Pilar in December, and the couple has been embroiled in a bitter battle of words ever since she claimed he cheated repeatedly while they were married.  (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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Deion and Pilar Sanders - Pilar Sanders, the estranged wife of former Dallas Cowboys star Deion Sanders, was arrested on Monday on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Her soon-to-be-ex-husband rehashed the details on Twitter on Monday, tweeting that his children “just witnessed their mother and a friend jump me in my room.” Deion Sanders filed for divorce from Pilar in December, and the couple has been embroiled in a bitter battle of words ever since she claimed he cheated repeatedly while they were married.  (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

Photo By Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Floyd Mayweather and Josie Harris - The undefeated boxer was arrested in 2010 for allegedly hitting ex-girlfriend Josie Harris and threatening to kill her in front of their two children. He pleaded guilty to a reduced battery domestic violence charge and no contest to two harassment charges. He served a 90-day jail sentence starting June 1, 2012. (Photos from left: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images, Facebook)

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Floyd Mayweather and Josie Harris - The undefeated boxer was arrested in 2010 for allegedly hitting ex-girlfriend Josie Harris and threatening to kill her in front of their two children. He pleaded guilty to a reduced battery domestic violence charge and no contest to two harassment charges. He served a 90-day jail sentence starting June 1, 2012. (Photos from left: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images, Facebook)

Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan - In September 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers’s Matt Barnes was arrested and charged with suspcision of domestic violence. Police responded to a call at a Sacramento residence and found both Barnes and then-fiancée Gloria Govan with injuries. One day after the incident, Govan, who appeared on VH1’s Basketball Wives, struck down any accusations of abuse, saying in a statement that the NBA player “has never physically abused me or my family.” (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Matt Barnes and Gloria Govan - In September 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers’s Matt Barnes was arrested and charged with suspcision of domestic violence. Police responded to a call at a Sacramento residence and found both Barnes and then-fiancée Gloria Govan with injuries. One day after the incident, Govan, who appeared on VH1’s Basketball Wives, struck down any accusations of abuse, saying in a statement that the NBA player “has never physically abused me or my family.” (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Lance Stephenson and Jasmine Williams - In August 2010, Lance Stephenson reportedly pushed girlfriend Jasmine Williams down a flight of stairs and then slammed her head on the bottom step. Stephenson, a breakout high school basketball star from Brooklyn, New York who was drafted to the Indiana Pacers in 2010, was arrested and charged with assault, menacing and harassment. In July 2009, while still a student at Lincoln High School, Stephenson and one of his teammates were accused of groping a female student outside the school. (Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images)

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Lance Stephenson and Jasmine Williams - In August 2010, Lance Stephenson reportedly pushed girlfriend Jasmine Williams down a flight of stairs and then slammed her head on the bottom step. Stephenson, a breakout high school basketball star from Brooklyn, New York who was drafted to the Indiana Pacers in 2010, was arrested and charged with assault, menacing and harassment. In July 2009, while still a student at Lincoln High School, Stephenson and one of his teammates were accused of groping a female student outside the school. (Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images)

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O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson - After seven years of marriage, NFL Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson divorced in 1992. The relationship was reportedly marred with violence, with the football star pleading no contest to spousal abuse charges in 1989. In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and acquaintance Ron Goldman were brutally murdered outside her Los Angeles home. In a nine-month trial that captured international attention, O.J. Simpson was charged with both murders, but was acquitted of all charges in 1995. He is currently serving a 33-year prison sentence in Nevada for armed robbery and kidnapping after he and several men took sports memorabilia from a Las Vegas hotel room. (Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage)

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O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson - After seven years of marriage, NFL Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson divorced in 1992. The relationship was reportedly marred with violence, with the football star pleading no contest to spousal abuse charges in 1989. In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and acquaintance Ron Goldman were brutally murdered outside her Los Angeles home. In a nine-month trial that captured international attention, O.J. Simpson was charged with both murders, but was acquitted of all charges in 1995. He is currently serving a 33-year prison sentence in Nevada for armed robbery and kidnapping after he and several men took sports memorabilia from a Las Vegas hotel room. (Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage)

Mike Tyson and Robin Givens - Embattled boxer Mike Tyson and actress Robin Givens married in February 1988, only to have their relationship fall apart three months later. Givens cited spousal abuse when she filed for divorce from Tyson in May 1988. In 1992, the boxer was convicted of raping an 18-year-old-woman in Indianapolis, and he served three years in prison. (Photo: Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)

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Mike Tyson and Robin Givens - Embattled boxer Mike Tyson and actress Robin Givens married in February 1988, only to have their relationship fall apart three months later. Givens cited spousal abuse when she filed for divorce from Tyson in May 1988. In 1992, the boxer was convicted of raping an 18-year-old-woman in Indianapolis, and he served three years in prison. (Photo: Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)

Getting Help - If you feel you have been a victim of domestic violence or known someone who has, contact the National Abuse Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or visit TheHotline.org. You can also contact your police department or local church. (Photo: Courtesy thehotline.org)

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Getting Help - If you feel you have been a victim of domestic violence or known someone who has, contact the National Abuse Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or visit TheHotline.org. You can also contact your police department or local church. (Photo: Courtesy thehotline.org)