GLAAD Responds to Chiefs RB Larry Johnson's Apology

by Joel Thorman on Oct 27, 2009 3:35 PM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Photo courtesy of the Kansas City Star

"Larry Johnson's apology sends an important message that there is no excuse for using anti-gay epithets.

GLAAD is continuing to call on the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs to use this unfortunate incident as a way to educate and start a dialogue with players and fans regarding the dangers of homophobia in sports."

GLAAD's initial statement on Larry Johnson can be read here. LJ's apology today can be read here.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said at this afternoon's media session that LJ being told to stay away from practice is not technically a suspension at this time.

After all this, I can say that I will be shocked if Larry Johnson ever suits up for the Chiefs again. How often does a player get two responses from a gay rights organization?

Interesting note: AP reader ilamaku brought up this report from a few years back. Joey Porter used the same slur LJ did and received a $10,000 fine.

It sounds as if this is the end of the public dialogue between GLAAD and Larry Johnson.

At least we hope it is.

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Comments

great article....

you’re fast :)

by HeatherChiefsLvr on Oct 27, 2009 3:40 PM CDT reply actions

Tip of the hats to Heather everyone

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Oct 27, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah well...

i wish it was a jucier story…lol

Told ya i’m on TMZ almost as much as AP..lol

by HeatherChiefsLvr on Oct 27, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions

H/T Heather

I never thought I’d see the day where stories on AP would include references to TMZ, GLAAD and the Kansas City Chiefs.

by nycchief on Oct 27, 2009 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

aren't you glad I'm a part of this group now?

be nice….lol

by HeatherChiefsLvr on Oct 27, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Love your stuff. I used to read TMZ all the time. In fact, I used to live in the TMZ (Thirty-Mile Zone in LA for anyone who’s wondering). Mondo bizarro, though, to see a KC player on the front page for 2 days running. Thanks for covering that beat!

by nycchief on Oct 27, 2009 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I know huh...that's what shocked me too

Although I’d rather have one of our boys on front page news 2 days in a row for OTHER reasons..haha

by HeatherChiefsLvr on Oct 27, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

"Other reasons"

being dating a super-model.

by nycchief on Oct 27, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions

or *supermodel

by nycchief on Oct 27, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I checked The Advocate

before this morning’s Arroeheadlines, but it was just the same story as everywhere else.

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Oct 27, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Arrowheadlines that is.

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Oct 27, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions

"After all this, I can say that I will be shocked if Larry Johnson ever suits up for the Chiefs again."

I have to disagree with this. He’s going to be back and playing before to long.

by B_LEWIS on Oct 27, 2009 3:53 PM CDT reply actions

lol

If everyone worked as hard as me, I would be out of a job.

-Steve Nash

by Red Shadow on Oct 27, 2009 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

LJ=OJ

I bet LJ ends up in a white Expadition riding east down I-70 after being caught naked in a Jim Brown throwback.

by redWIN on Oct 27, 2009 3:57 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

There was also this incident in 2003

between Matt Millen and Johnnie Morton of, oh my goodness, the Kansas City Chiefs! Don’t know if Millen was fined. We know it took a while for him to get fired.

http://www.outsports.com/nfl/2003/1216millenmorton.htm

by nycchief on Oct 27, 2009 3:59 PM CDT reply actions

Also, Shockey called Parcells a "h" word.

This isn’t a new story for the league. Sadly, this language is link to a culture of football that demands players to repress their feminine attributes and in turn creates homophobia.

by ilamuku on Oct 27, 2009 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Everybody is talking about LJ using a Homophobic Slur. Which is not right especially for someone who is supposed to be a role model. But isn’t the comments he made about Haley enough to get him cut? If I was Haley I would want him cut NOW.

by old chiefs fan on Oct 27, 2009 4:02 PM CDT reply actions

Nah

that would paint Haley as thin-skinned. Better to speak softly and carry a big golf club.

by nycchief on Oct 27, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions

LoL.

I am also a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers and there is a lot of news swirling around concerning Delonte West and his off-court “problems” (e.g., illegal weapons possession and domestic violence). He is bi-polar. I wonder if LJ is bi-polar as well?

by ilamuku on Oct 27, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmm

I really wish they wouldn’t have accepted his canned ham lame-ass apology.

I want to see him on Ellen apologizing with a huge donation check to GLAAD or any of their charities.

Then bench him, or suspend, I can’t recall the method for him to not get paid. Do whatever you can to get him where it hurts. Make an example of him for the organization and the league. He’s had too many chances as is. Kill off the entitlement and I can do what I want culture. No BS and no drama in our teams organization.

by sayten on Oct 27, 2009 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

No one has accepted anything

LJ has to say. He could only wish to be on “Ellen.” Would make him a total star. For our sakes and that of the KC Chiefs, hope it doesn’t happen. He’s not the spokesperson for gay rights.

by nycchief on Oct 27, 2009 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions

very true

Good point. We don’t want that.

Just can him.

by sayten on Oct 27, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

The thing is...

is that that word is losing its association with homosexuality. Now, I don’t use the word myself, but it’s getting less and less about sexual preference and more and more just a dergatory word to slam somebody with.

Listen to Louis C.K. or Doug Stanhope and you’ll see what I mean. Do a YouTube search for either of their names and that certain “f” word and you’ll probably come across their routines about that word. It pretty much sums up my feelings on the subject.

Again, I don’t use the word myself, and a professional football player (or anybody short of a performing artist, for that matter) has no business using that word to the media. Especially athletes, all of whom qualify as role models for youth around the world. Athletes have to be smarter about what they say because the media loves to jump on crap like this.

by Tadpui on Oct 27, 2009 6:24 PM CDT reply actions