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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SACK LARRY JOHNSON: Running back released the day he was due back from his gay slur suspension.
With just 75 yards left to conquer, the running back was released Monday following years of disruptive behavior that culminated in recent days with a two-week suspension over his use of gay slurs.
"We decided it was in the best interests of the Kansas City Chiefs organization to move forward at this time," said coach Todd Haley, whose final decision to cast him aside was not made until early Monday.
"A part of him is excited and a part of him is very regretful," Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, told The Associated Press. "There's a lot of feelings going on right now. It's analogous to breaking up with a girlfriend. Maybe you saw it coming, but it still hurts when it happens."
Behind a poor offensive line this year, Johnson has gained 2.7 yards per carry for the Chiefs (1-7) and appeared not to have the quickness and punishing power that enabled him to rush for more than 1,700 yards in Pro Bowl seasons in 2005 and '06.
Controversy began surrounding Johnson's tenure in Kansas City on draft day in 2003, when he showed disappointment over being selected by the Chiefs instead of his preferred team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 2008, then-coach Herm Edwards benched him for three straight games for violating team rules and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him a fourth game for violating the league's player-conduct policy.
Johnson was later sentenced to two years' probation after pleading guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace. One woman accused him of throwing a drink on her and another said he had pushed her head at a Kansas City night spot.
Last week, an online fan petition was started asking the Chiefs not to let Johnson become the team's all-time leading rusher — a record running back Kolby Smith said Johnson had been looking forward to.
"He wanted to get the record, I know that," said Smith, who saw his first action Sunday after undergoing knee surgery last year. "Whenever someone has a chance to break a record, it means a lot to them."
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