Former Florida State quarterback De'Andre Johnson was provoked in the altercation that resulted in a misdemeanor battery charge and his dismissal from the football team, according to his attorney, Jose Baez.

As reported by CBSSports.com, the lawyer says that Johnson was provoked by the woman that shouted "racial epithets" at him with her fists raised and claimed that his client was kneed by the victim in the groin area. Baez also claims that Johnson tried to de-escalate the situation, and that it was not until the victim struck him twice that the quarterback retaliated.

"While it is clear from the video that De"Andre Johnson was not the initial aggressor, his family wants to take the lead in helping him learn and grow from this experience," Baez said in a released statement Monday. "He is currently participating in community service, and faith-based programs focused on battered women, substance abuse, and the empowerment of children."

"De'Andre is extremely embarrassed by this situation and would like to express his heartfelt apologies to everyone, including those were directly affected, Coach Fisher and his teammates, the entire Florida State University, as well as his family and friends."

Johnson was dismissed from the Florida State football team Monday evening, after he was indefinitely suspended on June 25 following initial reports of the incident. The announcement of Johnson's dismissal came just hours after footage of Johnson striking a student at a Tallahassee bar was released to the public by the State Attorney's Office.

As noted by CBSSports.com, Johnson is a three-star prospect ranked among the top-15 dual threat quarterbacks in the country. He has been committed to the Seminoles since 2012 and enrolled at the university in January. Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson and Sean Maguire are expected to compete for the Seminoles starting quarterback position, while a starter is not expected to be named until mid-August.