“It’s the hardest thing in the world to walk away from someone that you really love,” Lozada told “Nightline” in an exclusive interview. “But you have to walk away because I have to protect myself.” . . .

“I believe he loves me. I believe he needs to get help,” she said. “He’s a good guy that made a bad choice. He loves football and he’s very driven and a great dad. He made a bad choice that destroyed his life, and I hate that I’m connected to that.” . . .