AFC West blog
•Blog network: NFL Nation
The Chiefs have told Johnson to stay away from practice and "other team activities" until a review of the incident by the team and the league is complete, the team said Tuesday.
Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, said it would be inaccurate to describe the Chiefs' move as a suspension. He said the Chiefs told Johnson to go home Tuesday while they were looking into the situation.
"It's the bye week, so there is no urgency," Schaffer said. "I have not been told of a suspension."
In a statement issued by Schaffer, the two-time Pro Bowl running back apologized to the league and commissioner Roger Goodell, to coach Todd Haley and to his teammates for using the slur on Twitter and as he told reporters to leave him alone.
"I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate," Johnson said. "I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said.
"I also want to apologize to all the kids who view athletes as role models. I was not a good role model yesterday and hopefully I can become a better role model."
Tuesday, the Chiefs said they and the NFL are continuing to investigate Johnson's alleged comments.
"Until that review is complete, the Chiefs have instructed Larry to refrain from practicing with the Chiefs or participating in other team activities," the team said in a statement. "A decision regarding Larry's status will be made once the investigation has concluded."
The president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation,Jarrett Barrios, said the NFL and Chiefs need to take disciplinaryaction. Barrios says the slur is used to ridicule and harass younggay and transgender athletes.
Johnson refused to speak with reporters Monday, a day after the Chiefs' 37-7 home loss to the San Diego Chargers. Sitting in front of his locker, he turned away and muttered the slur in telling reporters to get "out of here," according to the Kansas City Star, which recorded the comment.
On Sunday, Johnson belittled Haley on Twitter in a series of posts that also included the same gay slur.
The tweets were posted to the "Toonicon" account, an online alias the Star reported Johnson has said is his. The account includes a link to Johnson's personal Web site. Chiefs spokesman Bob Moore said the team could not verify that is Johnson's account.
The Twitter remarks were posted after San Diego routed the Chiefs (1-6).
One tweet read: "My father got more creditentials than most of these pro coaches." That was followed by: "My father played for the coach from "rememeber the titans". Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn."
Haley, hired earlier this year to replace the fired Herm Edwards, did not play high school or college football and attended college on a golf scholarship. He did not enter coaching until he was in his 20s. He was hired as Kansas City's head coach after serving as offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals in their Super Bowl run last year. His father, Dick Haley, is one of the NFL's most distinguished scouts and personnel men, having helped build the Steelers dynasty in the 1970s.
The tweets drew responses, including one that referred to a nightclub incident in which Johnson was accused of spitting in someone's face.
Johnson's response included a three-letter gay slur. The final post read: "Make me regret it. Lmao. U don't stop my checks. Lmao. So 'tweet' away."
Johnson's account since has been made private.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Johnson was benched for three games by Edwards last year for an unspecified violation of team rules. Goodell suspended him for the fourth game for violating the league's player conduct policy in connection with incidents involving two women in bars.
Johnson then was sentenced to two years' probation after pleading guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace. One woman accused him of throwing a drink on her and another said he had pushed her head at a Kansas City night spot.
A judge earlier this year suspended the sentence and said he would remove the guilty plea from the public record if Johnson finished the probation period without further incidents.
Johnson was one of the best running backs in the NFL in 2005 and '06, rushing for more than 1,700 yards in each season. In 2006, he set an NFL record with 410 carries, but his production fell to 559 yards the following season after he sat out training camp in a contract dispute.
Blues don’t interest Real aceKansas City Chiefs’ Larry Johnson questions head coach Todd Haley’s credentials on Twitter
