The problem you have when you go to suspend a player is the NFLPA will always argue, with some success, that all discipline must be progressive. In other words, first a warning, then a fine, then progressive fines before you suspend a player.

That is what the Chiefs faced. There was no precedent for Johnson's actions to warrant the length of suspension they decided to impose. The largest fine that I know of for an inappropriate comment similar to Johnson's was $10,000 to Joey Porter. There has never been a suspension that I know of for making comments about fans, though there have been fines -- but certainly nothing like the amount Johnson would lose during his two-week suspension.

I go over these points because as a GM you listen to these points from the lawyers. I would not be surprised if they recommended the Chiefs not suspend Johnson because the case would be hard to win. If the suspension is overturned, you the player comes back without any loss of money. One factor to remember is that besides lacking precedent, you also did not use progressive discipline.