Larry Johnson Released | A Running Back Sacked

UPDATE: Larry Johnson fired by the Chiefs

From Wikimedia Commons

In case you missed the last article written on this site on this subject, there was a Larry Johnson petition being circulated by fans to get him dismissed from the team, because they didn’t want him occupying Kansas City Chiefs record books or mentioned in the same sentence with Priest Holmes, and didn’t want any more quick cash spent on him.  They got their wish.  The running back (2.7 yards per carry this season – the second worst in the league) constantly feuded with management, hit women, etc., has been declared the weakest link, and summarily given the boot.

Larry Johnson won’t pass go, and won’t collect $200

Well, check that – he still is guaranteed wages by contract.  He is expected to clear waivers, and might be picked up by another team.  However, he has probably seen his last pay day with the Chiefs.  To be fair, he was a two time Pro Bowler and a first round pick out of Penn State.  From 2004 to 2007, he was one of the best running backs in the NFL for 3 seasons, appearing in 2 Pro Bowls.  It turns out he is actually a very talented player, but perhaps star power went to his head.

Suspension due to making bigoted remarks

Johnson used homophobic slurs on his Twitter account and also to reporters, and had reportedly had a negative impact in the locker room, along with a Twitter fueled feud with the head coach.  (Granted, the 1-7 record of the Chiefs this year might have something to do with that.)  During his two week suspension for conduct unbecoming, the Chiefs decided to give him his walking papers.  He will collect over $4 million, as part of his contract guarantees it in the event of a release.

But wherever shall he go?

There’s already a rumored destination for him – Washington D.C.  Not as a member of Congress (although he’d probably fit right in with that nefarious cabal of miscreants), but instead to the Redskins.  The Washington Redskins are currently in need of a running back.  (They also need to win a game.)  Clinton Portis is currently sidelined with a concussion.  Jim Zorn hasn’t commented except to say that he’s going to have to think about it.  (Read more about the possible move to the Redskins here.)

What happens now?

Well, the season is just about half over.  The Kansas City Chiefs are in a rebuilding period, as are the Redskins (if that’s where he goes), but he might return to winning ways if paired with the right team.  That said, players that feud with management constantly tend to not last long, wherever they go.  (To be fair, that goes both ways – some management is awful to players.  The following names might be mentioned: Ken Stabler, Marcus Allen, and Joe Montana.)  The news that the Chiefs had Larry Johnson released might shock a few people that a good RB might be let go of by a losing team, but perhaps a cash advance might be better spent building a new team from the ashes.