KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- There are only 14 Division I-A players who have run for 2,000 yards in a season. Larry Johnson is easily the worst.
The worst person.
|
|
| Larry Johnson went from being a hero at Penn State to a bum in Kansas City. (US Presswire) |
That list is populated with Heisman Trophy winners, Hall of Famers. Penn State's former superstar is now a troubled party boy who bashes homosexuals.
The Kansas City Chiefs tailback has not only disgraced his team with his misconduct, but he has shamed his school and his father, longtime Joe Paterno assistant Larry Johnson Sr.
Junior came out of school in 2003 as a budding star. He is about to leave the league as a borderline thug, the son that you would never associate with Penn State's loyal defensive line coach.
Chiefs fans are sick of him. Johnson has inched to within a few yards of the club's career rushing record, mixing a brief flash as a dominant runner with a flawed and troubled personal life.
You have read that Johnson is being investigated by the Chiefs and the NFL for using a homophobic slur in his Twitter account and uttering a similar slur to a reporter.
He has apologized but we've heard and read it all before: Johnson screws up. Some agent or lackey, scripts an apology that sounds sincere until Johnson gets upset about something -- or gets arrested.
Four times since 2003 Johnson has been arrested for assaults on women. The last run-in, a year ago, had to do with L.J. allegedly spitting a drink in a woman's face. In the past, he allegedly waved a gun at his then-girlfriend. That adds ominous new meaning to the term "break-up".
L.J. has a long and sordid past. For a while there, he was the NFL's best running back. He has continued to be a flawed human being.
| Chiefs links |
|
Judge: L.J. asking for suspension -- so do it Chiefs tell L.J. to stay away during investigation SI.com: The downside of Johnson's anger Team Report: Mt. Johnson finally erupts |
The argument is beyond whether Johnson should be suspended. The reason Johnson is currently not being allowed to practice is that the Chiefs are likely trying to find some kind of way to release him. Because of an ill-advised extension awarded by former general manager Carl Peterson, Johnson remains one of the league's highest-paid stiffs, er, backs.
His actions now outweigh anything he can contribute to the team, which has been very little this season. Physically, Johnson is at the end of his career before he turns 30. He is a one-time star who has taken too many hits. The rush now for some Chiefs fans is for the club to hurry up and cut him before he breaks that career rushing record. They don't want that disgraced, too.
Larry Johnson Sr. has to be ashamed. He has been the epitome of class and loyalty staying with Paterno all these years. L.J. Sr. is still mentioned as a possible successor when Joe hangs them up. He is such a good guy. His son is so wayward.
Johnson Jr.'s Kansas City career is about to end. His NFL career won't be far behind. Then he can party and Twitter and appear in videos all he wants.
Larry Johnson could have put his name on Arrowhead Stadium's ring of honor. Instead, he is guaranteed a spot in the hall of shame.
