July 22, 2008
 
Senior Cornerback Booted from Marshall Football Team
 
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
 
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Two arrests in less than a month has led to the dismissal of James Johnson (“J.J.”) from the Marshall football team. After allegedly hitting parked cars on Fourth Avenue early Sunday morning, July 20, police charged Johnson with driving under the influence and no proof of insurance.
 
The DUI charge follows two misdemeanor charges from an early June fight that occurred in the 600 block of Fourth Avenue. In that incident, J.J. was arrested for disorderly conduct and obstruction of a police officer. The June fight took place near the location where on July 5, former Herd player , Donte Newsome succumbed to gunshot wounds.
 
Johnson had started all games in his sophomore and junior seasons (2006-2007). He had 56 tackles in 2007, including six in the team’s loss against the West Virginia Mountaineers. He recorded nine tackles each in games against New Hampshire, Southern Miss and Rice.
 
During his sophomore season, he finished sixth on the team with 66 tackles. As a freshman , he appeared in all eleven games again finishing sixth on the team with 42 tackles during the season.
 
According to a media release Sunday afternoon, MU Head Coach Mark Snyder stated: “Because of J.J.’s continued selfish behavior that is unbecoming of a Marshall University Football player , he will be dismissed from our program.”