NFL Wanted NO Suspension and Only $10,000 Fine for Johnson

UPDATE: Johnson has been fired.

Running back Larry Johnson was not in uniform Sunday for the Kansas City Chiefs 24-21 loss to Jacksonville. Johnson returns to the team roster today after a two week suspension and $315,000 penalty for publicly making three homophobic slurs in a 24-hour period. But the NFL suggested the Chiefs not suspend Johnson and fine him only $10,000, reports Nancy Gay at AOL Fanhouse.

That was the punishment doled out by the NFL to then-Steelers linebacker Joey Porter in December 2006, when he twice called Browns tight end Kellen Winslow a "f**" following a Pittsburgh victory over Cleveland. At the time, an NFL spokesman said Porter was fined for "his vulgar and inexcusable statements." Porter apologized, saying he didn't mean to offend anyone "except Winslow." So we can see how effective that monetary punishment was as a teachable moment.

But Porter's $10,000 fine came before the NFL officially issued its now famous get-tough Personal Conduct Policy in 2008, a set of guidelines so strict and so broad in interpretation that it has given commissioner Roger Goodell great latitude to throw the book at numerous high-profile players. The NFL Personal Conduct Policy is all of four pages long, and includes this very sweeping admonition to all NFL players, coaches and employees of what it considers a violation: "Conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players."

Johnson went beyond Porter's on-the-field behavior. The Kansas City former Pro Bowler used the words "fag", "faggot" and "Christopher Street boy"—showing some knowledge of gay culture—to mock fans in a Twitter meltdown. After hurling the F-bomb at reporters. Johnson’s agent ridiculously tried to claim that his client had no idea "faggot" was an offensive phrase.

Since being drafted by the Chiefs in 2003, Johnson has been arrested at least four times for violent episodes against women, including beating an ex-girlfriend and spitting in the face of a woman at a Kansas City nightclub. Many Kansas City Chiefs fans have had enough of Johnson's off-the-field temper. More than 10,000 fans have signed a petition to plead with the Chiefs from allowing Johnson to set Kansas City's all-time rushing record. Apparently the Chiefs agreed with the fans and decided to cut Johnson.

So far, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have been strangely silent on the Johnson fiasco, which Oustports describes as "disturbing."

Background:
Chiefs Fans Circulate Petition to Oust Johnson 
Chiefs Suspend Larry Johnson for 2 Weeks Over Gay Slurs
RB Larry Johnson Says "Faggot" to Critics and Reporters 
Bennett Fined for Profanity-Laced, Homophobic Rap

Comments

[Former COGIC]

So much for the NFL "getting tough" against players. Gambling, DUIs, domestic violence, yes. Gay slurs and gay baiting, not so much, same old story.

[Antwan]

a 10k fine? lol
that's pocket change to these guys

yeah, thankfully the ch.iefs had more sense than that

[Chris]

Anybody is surprised by this???

[Trey]

Exactly Chris, who's actually surprised?

[Danny Rivera]

I don't know is anyone surprised or not but it's worth pointing out. The NFL is supposed to .. supposed to... get "tough" against players who say and do things like this. Or we can just sit back, say "is anyone surprised", or even help defend this POS just like several other black gay men have done on this blog. Not that anyone was paying attention to their self hate anyway.

I'm glad Kansas City didn't listen to Goodell and the NFL. Bravo to the Chiefs. They're not doing great on the field but at least they set an example.

[Thomas R]

so the NFL hasn't said anything about this at all? smh

the more things change the more they stay the same

[Raheem]

Daps to the Chiefs for ignoring the NFL

I bet somebody is missing that $315K. How much you wanna bet they will think before they speak?

And why wasn't this done when LJ was beating up women? Or was he fined and he just can't "control" himself? smh

[CC]

Yall please catch up!!

Updated: November 9, 2009, 11:22 AM EST

Chiefs cut RB in wake of twitter insults, gay slurs

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/10342972/Chiefs-cut-RB-in-wake-of-twitter-insults,-gay-slurs

[TheRevKev]

Thanks CC,

You guys were misreading this all along. The fine was $315K and 2-weeks.

I love seeing these athletes being REMINDED that they are AT WORK when they are out and about and more so in uniform.

It's like more taxes for the rich--if you want the benefits, you take the rules. WATCH YOUR MOUTH. If you can't do something that simple, we've got a problem.

But I'm intrigued by the article CC linked (PAUSING TO LINK AND READ...BRB)...

OKAY, AND WE'RE BACK...

Apparently Johnson, who had already stated, when he insulted the coach of the team and questioned his credentials that "YOU CAN'T STOP MY PAYCHECKS" had indeed been released. The fans are getting on him for that statement and many are admonishing his behavior.

It's just sad that these guys get money and fame and success and don't bother to do anything to ensure that they have the skillset (ON AND OFF THE FIELD) to make sure that the money keeps coming. God forbid something happens to the PHYSICAL BODY OF AN ATHLETE to stop his already limited career and fools like this and Hardaway and others SPEED IT UP BY BEING STUPID! LOL...It's just a shame!

Anyway, good riddance Johnson! CALL TIM HARDAWAY AND GET SOME LESSONS ON THE AFTERMATH OF GAY-BASHING! Enough of these dudes thinking that they are no repercussions.

"THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF SLOW-SONG SINGING AND FLOWER BRINGING!"