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KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Larry Johnson didn't say much, but those few words Monday from the Kansas City Chiefs running back further stoked a fire that had been ignited the night before. Hours after the Chiefs lost 37-7 to San Diego on Sunday, Johnson made several controversial remarks on Twitter directed toward his coach, Todd Haley, and Haley's lack of football-playing experience.
A message posted on Johnson's Twitter profile about 7 p.m. stated: "My father played for the coach from 'rememeber the titans'. Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn."
Johnson continued the postings and, in later responses directed toward his Twitter followers, included inflammatory remarks about gays. In a reference to someone's profile picture, Johnson called it a "fag pic" and called the person a "Christopher street boy," a reference to a predominantly gay and lesbian area in New York's Greenwich Village.
Then Monday in the Chiefs locker room, Johnson used another slur after saying he wouldn't speak to reporters.
Johnson, sitting next to second-year running back Jamaal Charles, told reporters that "I'm not talking till Thursday," his usual day of speaking with the media.
Then Johnson turned away and whispered, "Get your faggot ass out of here."
Haley was asked at his news conference later Monday about Johnson's comments and said the matter was being investigated by the team.
"How our players conduct themselves with and through the media in a public setting is very important to us as an organization," Haley said after being asked about Johnson's use of the slur.
Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD, reportedly called for National Football League officials to "take action." The NFL, according to senior vice president for public relations Greg Aiello, is looking into Johnson's comments as well.
The Kansas City Star asked Chiefs officials to speak with Johnson after he said the slur, but he was not made available. Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, told The Star that his client would issue an apology.
Schaffer said that Johnson's first cousin is gay and that Johnson "is not a homophobe."
"He just used a poor choice of words," Schaffer said, "a politically incorrect choice of words, and he's going to have to apologize for it. And he should."
Johnson's latest actions follow other incidents since he joined the Chiefs. In 2003, Johnson was charged with aggravated assault and misdemeanor battery for allegedly brandishing a gun. Those charges were dropped after Johnson completed a domestic violence diversion agreement.
Last year, Johnson was arrested twice on assault charges but pleaded guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace and was sentenced to two years of probation. The convictions will be removed from Johnson's record if he successfully completes probation.
He was granted a clean slate when Haley and general manager Scott Pioli joined the team earlier this year. Johnson, who turns 30 on Nov. 19, had been quiet, optimistic and loyal. He said during training camp that he was determined to distance himself from the "old LJ," the irritable, short-tempered player who had become known more for his run-ins and mood swings than his considerable football talent.
Then Johnson delivered cryptic comments earlier this month after the Chiefs' loss to the New York Giants. Johnson repeatedly used the word "ego" to describe the difference between the Chiefs and the Giants, later refusing to elaborate.
That night, Johnson posted a similar message on his Twitter profile: "EGO ... EGO ... EGO ... EGO." Johnson's Twitter profile went private early Monday, and some posts have been deleted.
Haley didn't say Monday whether he expected or hoped for an apology from Johnson. Haley added that he wouldn't take offense at a player who questioned his credentials as an NFL coach, and he said he was comfortable that his path toward his position was enough to qualify him to lead the Chiefs.
Haley, who is in his first season as a head coach at any level, never played football in high school, college or the pros. Haley was a golf pro and college golf coach during his early 20s. Last season, he was the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, who reached the Super Bowl.
"I'm very proud of the route that I took to get to where I am," Haley said. "I think I'm here for a reason. I think I've earned what I've done in the NFL through hard work and through execution and results."
