October 27, 2009

Chiefs' Larry Johnson Flips Out on Twitter: Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson used Twitter to take shots at head coach Todd Haley after Sunday's game, writing that "my father got more creditentials than most of these head coaches" and "my father played for the coach from 'rememeber the titans''. our coach played golf." He then followed up by telling a fan he had a "fag pic" and was a "Christopher street boy," referring to an area of New York's Greenwich Village popular with gays. He then told reporters Monday, "Get your faggot ass out of here." Larry Johnson's dad is the defensive line coach at Penn State and a legendary high school coach in Maryland.

posted by rcade to football at 08:27 AM - 24 comments

Sadly though, LJ has neglected to mention the more pertinent movie connection within his family...the fact that he was the inspiration for Cuba Gooding Jr.'s character in Radio

posted by Demophon at 08:55 AM on October 27, 2009

He said during training camp that he was determined to distance himself from the "old LJ," the irritable player who had become known more for his run-ins and mood swings than his considerable football talent.

Well, as with most power runners at this stage of his career, the talent is gone. I believe he would have been traded if anyone would have shown interest. And the "good boy" he promised to be sure didn't last long, but at least he's not beating women at night clubs anymore.

The guy's a Head Case, though......obviously. Ahhhhhh, where have you gone Tony G?????? This offense really is lacking in decent character these days.

posted by kcfan4life at 09:21 AM on October 27, 2009

Johnson has been a different runner since signing his five-year, $42 million deal after a holdout in 2007. He hasn't come close to gaining 1,000 yards and is part of the reason the Chiefs stink.

If there ever was a time to keep your head down and quietly cash your checks, this was it. I wouldn't be surprised if the Chiefs release him.

posted by rcade at 09:35 AM on October 27, 2009

Nice Joe Posnanski post on Larry.

posted by yerfatma at 10:22 AM on October 27, 2009

Easily one of the best features of twitter: taking the PR out from between the Athlete/Celebrity and fan relationship. Their thoughts, unfiltered, show they're just as screwed up as anyone. Sometimes more.

posted by justgary at 10:24 AM on October 27, 2009

Absolutely, which is why organizations do not want their athletes to proceed with their banter via Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or any other outlet but fans love it.

posted by BornIcon at 10:39 AM on October 27, 2009

Looks like old LJ could use a Prozac lick next to his locker and computer. This guy is an ass.

posted by jojomfd1 at 11:41 AM on October 27, 2009

Wow. Moron.

posted by THX-1138 at 01:43 PM on October 27, 2009

Sorry, Chiefs fans, the Tony Dungy intervention office is booked full. No new patients are being seen at this time.

Due to that development, KC has decided to go to a Plan B:

Option One: have Christian Okoye mentor (or attempt to mentor) Johnson.

Option Two: have Christian Okoye reach for a two by four.

posted by beaverboard at 02:38 PM on October 27, 2009

Great college running back that got big bucks and became a flop. Nobody said he was very smart.

posted by Doehead at 03:50 PM on October 27, 2009

He is 30 years old. When is he going to grow up?

posted by bperk at 04:35 PM on October 27, 2009

LJ has now been suspended indefinitely as the Chiefs look for a way out of his contract.

posted by dfleming at 07:31 PM on October 27, 2009

And, I is feeling very smart for picking up Jamaal Charles in my fantasy league!

He's not going to up Adrian Peterson numbers, but he's going to get more touches for sure, and he gets a fair amount of points from receptions and return.

posted by dviking at 10:44 PM on October 27, 2009

I think you're overestimating the quality of the Chiefs offense. Larry Johnson hasn't done anything worthwhile fantasywise this year, I don't see why Jamaal Charles would be any different.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 11:26 PM on October 27, 2009

because he is more of an all-around fantasy player...runs/receives/returns. He has more fantasy points than Johnson so far, and if Johnson is out it will only get better.

now, they might take his return duties away, but he is a solid third back, and brought me over 18 points last week which is damn good for a bye week fill in. As I said, no AP, but Charles should be a solid back in most leagues. Plus, KC plays some of the weaker defenses in weeks 14 & 15 which are the playoffs in most leagues.

posted by dviking at 04:00 AM on October 28, 2009

I always look forward in this day and age to when athletes such as Johnson utilize one of these web-based sites to speak out, where nobody is there to help them , and they come across like absolute idiots. Then, after the damage is done, they make some perfectly phrased apology, which goes to show their agent has probably had to tell them to shut their uneducated mouths before they do any more harm to their already-finished (in Johnson's case) career and let them (their agent) put out a comment they will attempt to attribute to the stupid athlete.

posted by dyams at 07:12 AM on October 28, 2009

So his dad was a good coach. Doesn't look like he was a good father.

posted by scully at 08:25 AM on October 28, 2009

Doesn't look like he was a good father.

That's not really fair. Johnson is 30 years old. Good parenting can do nothing for someone determined to be stupid. Now, if Johnson's brother turns out to be equally stupid, then I might agree with you.

posted by bperk at 09:31 AM on October 28, 2009

Then, after the damage is done, they make some perfectly phrased apology,

I think the majority of the population would tweet differently than they would write up a formal apology.

posted by tron7 at 11:08 AM on October 28, 2009

I think the majority of the population would tweet differently than they would write up a formal apology.

So you actually believe Johnson comes up with the idea of apologizing, then writes his own public apology? I gotta say, I seriously doubt that. I tend to think the agent probably had to jump down Johnson's throat, let him know how close he is to blowing any career he has left, advise him to keep his dumb-ass mouth shut, then write a correct apology for his client, thus doing damage control. Now that word comes Kansas City will probably cut Johnson, it's probably too late.

This "tweeting" bullshit has to be the nightmare of anyone having to represent clowns like Johnson. They can't edit and run interference for guys who can shoot off their mouths on sites such as that whenever they feel the need.

posted by dyams at 04:43 PM on October 28, 2009

This "tweeting" bullshit has to be the nightmare of anyone having to represent clowns like Johnson. They can't edit and run interference for guys who can shoot off their mouths on sites such as that whenever they feel the need.

This tweeting/facebook/myspace crap is getting out of hand. Too many idiots that somehow don't get that others in their organizations might see what they post. It's costing many people their jobs. You'd think that millionaire sports stars would have agents/coaches/owners advising them on what not to post, but I guess some people just can't be saved from themselves.

posted by dviking at 04:59 PM on October 28, 2009

This tweeting/facebook/myspace crap is getting out of hand.

In one sense, definitely. On the other hand, isn't it a sort of technological darwinism? Survival of the fittest means mentally fit as well.

posted by cjets at 05:33 PM on October 28, 2009

On the other hand, isn't it a sort of technological darwinism? Survival of the fittest means mentally fit as well.

That's a great theory, but one of the best things many people had going for them for centuries was the ability to cool off and think things through before they ever had to consider exposing their every thought and word to millions of people. That's gone out the window. People like Larry Johnson can now go on a temper-fueled rant instantly before anyone can save him, or he can save himself. Kinda like dviking said above.

posted by dyams at 06:44 PM on October 28, 2009

That's a great theory, but one of the best things many people had going for them for centuries was the ability to cool off and think things through before they ever had to consider exposing their every thought and word to millions of people.

But they don't have to expose their thoughts to millions. They choose to. It's like natural selection in reverse.

posted by cjets at 07:13 PM on October 28, 2009

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