FanHouse: NFL Only Wanted a Fine, No Suspension for Chiefs' Johnson
by Joel Thorman on Nov 5, 2009 11:23 AM CST
in 2009 Campaign
29 comments
For those signing this Larry Johnson petition, you probably think the Kansas City Chiefs didn't punish their running back enough. If that's the case, then read this:
Multiple sources tell Nancy Gay of FanHouse that the NFL did not "endorse or encourage" the suspension levied against the seven year veteran.
We've suspected this before, but Gay is, from what I can tell, the first to cite sources in reporting this.
Yes, the NFL did not want a suspension or a game check docked. Per Gay, the NFL recommended that the Chiefs simply fine him $10,000, the same punishment received by Joey Porter for making similar comments.
Porter also apologized for the words he used except qualified the apology to include everyone "except Winslow." LJ issued a "legitimate" apology, whether it came from his lawyer or not. Porter's incident came before Roger Goodell's infamous strike down on personal conduct. So, it makes you wonder why the NFL would not want to take a harsher stand.
As Gay points out, the NFL has been strangely quiet in this case and another high-profile case with Tom Cable.
"Could it be that Goodell and Smith have a handshake détente in place," Gay writes, "setting aside personal conduct battles for now, knowing they'll tackle other serious problems in the coming months -- such as potentially messy and costly negotiations that will either lead to a NFL-imposed lockout or a new Collective Bargaining Agreement?"
As we've said here before, it's likely that both sides wanted to settle in order to avoid giving the other side the "win" just months before the league and the NFLPA will get together to discuss a new CBA.
So, there's not many people within league circles that think LJ got off easy at all. The NFL didn't want the suspension, and the NFLPA didn't want the suspension.
With this confirmation from Gay, I'd say the Chiefs did well for themselves.
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The Stop Larry Johnson from being the Chiefs all time leading rusher petition is at 11,416 sigs currently
by Lucasjr5 on Nov 5, 2009 11:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
while signing it
i noticed a lot of fake names and double names, so the actual number of signatures is inaccurate. I know this probably happens with any public petition, but to those of us who take it seriously, it kind of screws up the impact of it. If I was Pioli, and I took a look at this petition, I would see the fake names and immediately dismiss this as bs. jmho.
by dr. kill 4 on Nov 5, 2009 12:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Call me insensitive
but it’s just great that someone whose name is “Gay” wrote this about LJ. Warms my heart :)
Back on topic though, I can’t believe that the NFL wanted NO SUSPENSION at all for a frequent and habitual offender. It’s really ridiculous. “We’ll be tough, until we have something else occupying our time, then, not so tough.”
Come on now. Chad Ochocinco get’s fined damn near every game for not wearing a proper uniform (the latest was a orange chinstrap infraction that cost him $10,000), but LJ can repeatedly use the “f” word and get the same fine from the league? Absolutely ridiculous.
This isn't a "kum-bye-yah" campfire! THIS IS FOOTBALL!
by IISaiNtII on Nov 5, 2009 11:32 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
You stole the irony thought
right out of my head Saint.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
by Sudden on Nov 5, 2009 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Mine too
Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...
by JHWK on Nov 5, 2009 12:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Furthermore,
for me its beyond the hole “f-word” thing. I honestly think too many people are too damn sensitive when it comes to words. The big one for me was the way he flaunted his paychecks and ragged on fans like us who don’t make tons of money but bust our asses every day in sometimes low paying jobs (if we’re lucky enough to find jobs in this economy). The little money we do have left over at the end of the day we use to buy Chiefs merchandise, tickets to Chiefs games, and sunday ticket so we can watch our abysmal team that we will never give up on lose games. When a player starts mocking us, the hard-working, blue-collar fans that love our team and this game, and support it with the fruits of our labor, I really take it quite personally. He wants to start some class warfare but he and his nueveau-riche cohorts don’t realize that we’re the only reason he isn’t piss-poor, because a person of his limited intellectual abilities and altogether surly and insufferable disposition wouldn’t be able to find a real job if his life depended on it…… oh, and if you’re reading Larry: one day it will. You keep buying your Maybachs and pretending that Jay-Z gives a damn about you. You’ll be broke in 10 years and I’ll be laughing at you as you try to eek out a living.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
by Sudden on Nov 5, 2009 11:41 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
If you can afford...
Chiefs merchandise, Chiefs tickets, and NFL Sunday Ticket chances are high you’re doing really well for yourself.
by mynameistyler on Nov 5, 2009 11:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually...
if you can afford one of those three things, you’re doing pretty well for yourself.
by mynameistyler on Nov 5, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
what bothered me was the shot at us for not playing, not being involved etc…that kind of stuff pisses me off…I cant play…im sure a LOT of us cant…let alone at the NFL level, but what a lot of us CAN do…is act like a decent human being, something LJ cant even do with people telling him what to say.
by SDChief on Nov 5, 2009 11:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
and yeah
we pay a lot for sunday ticket, I live in san diego and take the beating from fair weather charger fans, buy merchandise like anyone else, and tickets when they come to SD, and two away games…Back when vermeil was coach, you could show up at the team hotel and he would reward you by taking you back to meet the team…felt like more of a family then….
lets hope LJ gets the boot.
by SDChief on Nov 5, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll see you over thanksgiving weekend my good man
I’m taking my gf to her first NFL game. One thing I love about my annual trip to SD is thata no matter how bad we are, we still have enough fans showing up to do the national anthem the right way in enemy territory.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
by Sudden on Nov 5, 2009 11:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
I had to forego the Sunday Ticket this season and watch games at bars on sundays. And though I won’t front like I’m broke, I don’t exactly make a ton of money. Theres a lot of things I’d like to spend my left-over coin on but when I have to choose between the Chiefs and any number of other luxuries, I choose the Chiefs. Thats what I’m talking about.
For justice we must go to Don Pioli
by Sudden on Nov 5, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
rec'd Saint ... good comment
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
by upamtn on Nov 5, 2009 7:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
She is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle.
Who woulda guessed that one ….
by kcbh on Nov 5, 2009 10:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Can't Someone Just...
Nancy Kerrigan LJ before the next time he takes the field?
by mynameistyler on Nov 5, 2009 11:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
sadly when he signed his contract years back I actually hoped priest would play that role, but then realized hes far too classy for that
by SDChief on Nov 5, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
must be the california part of me
but…when I read the article, I t hought gosh what a rough name to be a writer with…but not once did it cross my mind the link between that and LJ…either makes me oblivious…stoned(check) or…dumb
As for all of this…after reading Charlie Cass’s take I think they did the right thing…BUT…
we still have a long ways to go, lets see how they handle his return.
by SDChief on Nov 5, 2009 11:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Good comment. They’ve done the right thing so far.
by Joel Thorman on Nov 5, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Watch the whole episode if you are a LJ hater.
You might learn something.
Well … maybe not.
by kcbh on Nov 5, 2009 11:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
The petition has nothing to about the punishment Joel
It’s about the about the pride of the Chief’s organization and its fan’s. What we represent. You’re missing the point completely
I don't want no Yo-Yos
by AK_47 on Nov 5, 2009 11:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
South Park sticking up for LJ.
How sweet is that?
by kcbh on Nov 5, 2009 12:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
whats the news on this?
If Charles has good game could there be a possibility LJ is done for the season?
Jack of all trades-Master of None.....
by Peter Chung on Nov 5, 2009 1:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I would say if this is the case ...
then LJ will be listed #2 back the game after and depending on Kolby Smith performances, they may be looking to list LJ as a #3 for a while before deactivating the guy … then good bye LJ next year.
by OneChiefs on Nov 5, 2009 5:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The question here should be, how many games can he start before he gets hurt?
He will now have to carry the rock 4 times more than he has in the past.
Fat chance of this having a happy ending.
by kcbh on Nov 5, 2009 10:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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