Kansas City Chiefs running back has issued a statement about his verbal attacks in the last 36 hours on his coach and for “words” he used. His written statement:
First of all, I want to apologize to the fans of the Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the NFL, Commissioner Goodell, the Chiefs organization, Coach Todd Haley, his staff, and my teammates for the words I used yesterday. I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate. 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. We all make mistakes, and the challenge is to learn from them. I will do my best to learn from this one as I move toward becoming a better person, teammate, and member of the Kansas City Chiefs team and community.
Note to Larry Johnson: You just made it worse. Your inclusion of the “Christopher Street” reference makes it clear your words were meant to demean gay people. You can’t hide behind some colloquial use of “faggot;” You went further than that. You apologized to the NFL fans. You apologized to Chiefs fans. You apologized to your teammates and staff. And you clearly made a conscious effort to NOT apologize to gay people. You made it clear you’re not really sorry for tossing around the word “faggot,” and you made it clear you couldn’t care less that you used an anti-gay epithet. I understand you’re upset because you’re not producing on the field the way you did a few years ago, but when you screw up you should man up. This apology that one of your handlers probably wrote doesn’t cut it.
The Chiefs didn’t think it was enough either, as he has been told to stay away from the team until further notice.
Update: The Chiefs suspended Johnson for two weeks.
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
This from Pro Football Talk:
The Chiefs have announced that running back Larry Johnson has been sent home.
“The Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League are continuing to investigate the alleged comments made by Larry Johnson,” the statement from the team says. “Until that review is complete, the Chiefs have instructed Larry to refrain from practicing with the Chiefs or participating in other team activities. A decision regarding Larry’s status will be made once the investigation has concluded.”
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/27/chiefs-suspend-larry-johnson/
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
We all have opinions on what is and isn’t protected by free speech and when it crosses a line. The point I think that is more important is the weight that the NFL gives certain offenses. Players regularly have 3, 4 5 children out of wedlock and don’t support them- forcing years of court cases but no acknowledgement of the problem by the NFL let alone any punishment for breaking their “morality” clause or behavior deterimental to the team. Numerous players are arrested for being drunk, on drugs, in a fight at a bar or club. Many are arrested for domestic violence or possession of dangerous weapons. NFL takes an innocent until proven guilty approach, unless it is a PR nightmare or a player that is injured, not on a roster or not a star. I find it hypocritical that the NFL is so offended by these “tweets”that it requires immediate suspension but the NFL does little to nothing about these other situations.
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
why would we think he’d ever apologize to us “faggots”? we are sub-human to many in this country, especially in the black community, where so many men have to lie about who they are and stay on the d.l. so yeah i wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that apology guys, hopefully the NFL suspends/fines him big on our behalf…..
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
JT, your new argument is a valid one. The NFL is more worried about public perception than ANYTHING else. That is how they decide on punishment.
But either way, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution does not protect Larry Johnson from the NFL’s punishment, and it never will.
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
He’s sorry he got caught and pulled up on it. He’s not sorry for what he said. This apology is so hollow. But again, I wasn’t in a tirade about it to begin with? Larry who? When has he been relevant enough for all this hubub?
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Larry Johnson is a disgrace.
I am so sick of hearing “I apologize” from these half assed athletes. That doesn’t mean “I’m sorry”. He is not sorry for what he said. He is only sorry for the backlash it will create on his playing time and salary. He could care less about gay people with that comment.
Maybe he should worry more about his awful stat line with the Chiefs this season and spend less time ripping his coach and the LGBT community. Then maybe “the kids” will respect him more. He obviously has anger issues he still needs to work out from his past arrests.
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Larry Johnson was arguably the best running back in the league in 2005 and 2006, gaining over 2,000 yards each season and combining for 40 TDs over the two seasons. Those were the only two seasons he played full seasons. Since then, the Chiefs have sucked and Johnson’s production has declined.
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
there are several men in Atlanta that can attest to what he really thinks……. he likes rough trade look off A4A or picked up in the parking lot of the local bar “bulldogs”
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
The NFL doesn’t care that LJ said “faggot,” and that’s is not the real reason why he was suspended.
The NFL doesn’t want bad press and this is causing bad press.
And as predictable as it always is with cases like this… here come the “Oh, he must be gay.” See Garry’s post above.
on Oct 27th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Apology NOT accepted, Larry. Now just go away.
on Oct 28th, 2009 at 1:50 am
As I said before, Picoli will not tolerate him.
on Oct 28th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I can’t believe the same person with the numerous spelling and grammatical errors on his twitter account wrote that apology.
His lawyer or public relations person wrote that statement. This makes me dislike Larry Johnson even more. At least the ignorant fool spewing hate was real.
on Oct 28th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
JT, PLEASE pick up a book sometime and learn what “free speech” is so that you don’t look like an idiot wondering if what Johnson said is covered under “free speech” or not.
Besides, are you suggesting that things like homophobia shouldn’t be dealt with until ALL other ills are addressed first? Don’t throw up a straw man. When and how to address homophobia has absolutely nothing to do with addressing the other important issues that you listed.