UCLA forward Josiah Johnson was allegedly assaulted by a member
of the University of Arizona football team early Tuesday morning
outside a Westwood bar, according to multiple published
reports.
Brad Brittain, a sophomore defensive tackle at Arizona,
allegedly struck Johnson across the face with a beer bottle after a
verbal confrontation. UCLA spokesman Marc Dellins confirmed that
the incident took place but could not offer many details.
“All we know is that he was attacked,” Dellins said,
“and that he wasn’t the aggressor.”
Brittain, a San Diego resident, was charged with felony assault
with a deadly weapon and released later Tuesday morning after
posting $30,000 bond, according to a report from the Los Angeles
County Sheriff.
Johnson, 22, checked himself into the emergency room at the UCLA
Medical Center on Tuesday morning, but did not sustain any serious
injuries, Dellins said. Attempts to reach the UCLA junior late
Thursday night were unsuccessful.
Brittain, who missed all of last season after being kicked off
the team during training camp for violating an unspecified team
rule, attended Mesa Community College in fall 2003. He was
readmitted to Arizona in January and participated in spring
practice this past month.
Johnson, on the other hand, has no history of legal trouble. In
his three-year UCLA career, he has been steady in a reserve role,
averaging 1.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game coming off the
bench.
He is expected to compete for playing time next season at the
power forward position, recently vacated by graduating senior T.J.
Cummings.