By AFRO Staff
Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was suspended by the team for using a gay slur. (Courtesy Photo/NFL)
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(October 31, 2009) - Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was suspended by the team on Oct. 28 for using homosexual slurs in reference to his head coach, The Associated Press reported.
According to the AP, Johnson first used the slur on Oct. 25 via Twitter as an insulting reference to Chiefs coach Todd Haley. Johnson said the same slur in reference to reporters in the locker room on Oct. 26. Johnson issued an apology on Oct. 27.
“I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration and they were not appropriate,” Johnson said through a spokesman. “I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said.”
Haley and the Chiefs organization announced Johnson’s suspension in a brief news release without further comment. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the AP that the league will also refrain from commenting pending the findings of its own investigation.
Johnson will be restricted from practicing with the team or participating in any team activities until investigation is complete, the AP reported. Johnson, who will be 30 in December, is just 75 rushing yards shy of becoming the Chiefs’ all-time rushing leader. He signed a five-year contract in 2007 that included $19 million in guaranteed money.
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