KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs released running back Larry Johnson Monday, according to a statement on their Web site.
The statement provided no definitive reason for his release, but the former Pro-Bowler has come under fire in recent weeks because of remarks he made on his Twitter account bashing the coach and using a homophobic term and then more remarks made in the Chiefs locker room.
It was those incidents that led to his
two-week suspension in which he missed the team's bye week and the loss Sunday to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"At this time Larry has a lot of emotions from happiness to disappointment to even some melancholy," said Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, who is based in Denver. "Part of him wanted to stay in Kansas City and resurrect his image with the fans and the team. Another part of him is looking foreword with great anticipation to the future. "
Schaffer called it a bittersweet day for Johnson, who had
reached a settlement with the team that cut his loss of pay for the suspension in half to just $315,000 and was set to be able to return to the team's facilities on Monday.
"The plan's for him to play again this year," Schaffer said of Johnson, who stood just 75 yards shy of breaking Priest Holmes' franchise record of 6,071 rushing yards in a career.
Johnson's recent comments were not though the first time LJ had made headlines for something other than his play on the field.
Most memorable perhaps are the two incidents at Kansas City nightclubs that led to him
pleading guilty to disturbing the peace and earning himself two years of probation.
Last offseason, he also made statements on 610 Sports that "
it was time to part ways" with Kansas City and the Chiefs.
NBC Action News is working on gathering more details and reaction from Arrowhead and we will bring you much more today on NBC Action News Midday at 11 a.m. and right here on NBCActionNews.com.
