Former NFL star Chad Johnson appeared on Good Morning America Tuesday after being released early for a 30-day sentence in a Florida jail.

In an interview with Robin Roberts, the 35-year-old wide receiver said he learned his lesson and wants to return to the football field.

"I've learned my lesson, especially over those past seven days," he said. "I think everyone deserves a second chance. Many would say I might not deserve it. I would like to finish my career off the right way."

“With me being Chad, it made the judge feel I wasn’t being serous about the situation. But trust me I understood exactly what I did and I lost two of the things in life that I loved most at that time,” Johnson said.

When asked what those two things were Johnson said, “football and my then beautiful, did say beautiful, ex-wife.”

Last week, TMZ cameras captured the butt-smack that helped send Johnson to jail.

During a probation violation hearing stemming from the physical altercation with his former wife and Basketball Wives reality star Evelyn Lozada, Johnson gave his attorney a celebratory smack on his backside. Broward County Judge Kathleen McHugh was not amused by the jester. The judge rejected Johnson’s plea bargain and sentenced him to 30 days in jail.

According to Johnson, his time in jail was meaningful and productive. He thanked the judge during the interview.

“Judge McHugh was able to do something many people have tried to get me to do for a long time. Slow down,” Johnson said. “I see being able to slow down and think about life and where I’m going from this point on was probably one of the best things that could have happened to me right now.” 
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 (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)