Angry Young Runner - Page 3

Hammock Parties · 03-16-2007, 06:32 AM

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/16915995.htm

Angry young runner

Former Penn State and NFL star Larry Johnson had his game face on at charity dinner Thursday.

JERRY KELLAR jkellar@timesleader.com

READING – He walked into the historic Abraham Lincoln Wyndham Hotel late Thursday afternoon wearing a spiffy warmup and a menacing scowl. That frown has become as much a Larry Johnson trademark as the former Penn State football star’s fierce rushing style.

With L.J., some things never change. Only, his angry young man act is playing on Sundays these days – and playing quite well at that.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ All-Pro running back was the featured celebrity at the 8th annual Second Mile Kick-Off dinner. Run by former Nittany Lion defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, the Second Mile helps children who are dealing with “challenging circumstances.”

Johnson, who rushed for more than 1,700 yards the last two seasons for the Chiefs, was accompanied by his parents, Larry and Christine. Mom and dad looked happy to be on hand.

L.J. … well, he was typical L.J.

After changing into an expensive-looking suit, he signed his name to a few dozen items that were to be auctioned off for the charity later in the evening. He chatted with dinner officials and posed for autographs with fans, never once displaying even a hint of a smile.

During a 15-minute interview with newspaper reporters, L.J. appeared disinterested, continually fiddling with his Blackberry and staring at the floor.

He looked up occasionally, especially when asked if he is misunderstood as a human being.

“I really don’t care anymore,” he said. “I play football. That’s what I was born to do and that’s what I’m doing.”

It’s fitting that the 27-year-old Pomfret. Md., native places controversial NFL legend Jim Brown at the top of his football idols list. L.J. can appear every bit as cold and unapproachable.

“I think that’s what makes him who he is,” Larry Johnson Sr. said of his oldest son. “He likes to have a mystique. Larry likes to be intimidating. He likes to walk into a room and get your attention. ‘Wow, should we stay away or should we approach him?’ That’s the way he is.”

L.J. isn’t sure if he’s among the most disliked players in the Chiefs locker room, as was written recently by a Kansas City columnist.

“Guys think what they want to think. Not everybody gets along,” he said. “Like I said, I don’t really care what anybody else thinks. I do what I was born to do. That’s the only thing people expect of me. I show up on Sundays and I play.”

As for the writer’s comparison of Johnson to Terrell Owens and Randy Moss, L.J. responded: “I do what I’m gonna do on a normal basis and he wakes up and dreams to be me on a normal basis. So it doesn’t bother me.”

He has heard other such unflattering comparisons before.

“They also said that Penn State running backs won’t be able to do anything (in the NFL) either. … Basically, the way I look at it, I really wasn’t supposed to do anything.”

Unlike most of his recent Nittany Lion predecessors, L.J.’s career has taken off at the highest level. Last season, he carried the ball an NFL-record 416 times and gained 1,789 yards. That topped his personal-best of 1,750 yards, set in the previous year.

“Every opportunity that came his way, he went running through the door,” said Johnson Sr., Penn State’s veteran defensive line coach. “At Penn State he did it. Kansas City, he’s doing it, too. There’s something in his makeup that makes him who he is. So why change it? I’d like to see him smile all the time and be happy. But that’s not who he is right now.”

Although L.J. was never considered a bad teammate while at Penn State, that perception apparently has changed with the Chiefs, according to reports.

“At Penn State, we didn’t play for money, either,” L.J. explains. “So that’s usually a different situation. Guys get jealous. First year (in the NFL), you weren’t doing anything and (nobody) expected anything and now you’re the talk of the town. There’s a lot of jealously. It’s something that can’t be ignored, something that doesn’t go away. You just gotta accept it for what it is and keep moving.”

His goal is to make a mark on the sport he loves before giving it up.

“I want to win two or three Super Bowls and, hopefully, get into the Hall of Fame,” L.J. said. “I won’t say I can be the best-ever, but I do want to be mentioned as one of the best.”

Tactical Funky · 03-16-2007, 11:59 AM

Larry Johnson is a dish best served...angry.

htismaqe · 03-16-2007, 12:11 PM

I'd like to see the portion of this article where Larry acts like a "thug gangsta".

The only bullshit around here ain't coming from Larry.

Brock · 03-16-2007, 12:16 PM

I'd be happy if I just didn't hear any more tales of him sleeping or texting Beyonce during meetings.

InChiefsHeaven · 03-16-2007, 12:23 PM

I didn't know Tony Gonzales was black...?

ck_IN · 03-16-2007, 12:32 PM

He walked into the historic Abraham Lincoln Wyndham Hotel late Thursday afternoon wearing a spiffy warmup and a menacing scowl. That frown has become as much a Larry Johnson trademark

During a 15-minute interview with newspaper reporters, L.J. appeared disinterested, continually fiddling with his Blackberry and staring at the floor.

htismaqe that has all the earmarks along with other ancedotal info of someone trying to portray themselves as a thug gangsta. Now granted he's not flagging the Crips colors and shooting anyone but it's pretty clear what he's aiming for, for anyone caring to see it. If you don't agree then we can agree to disagree.

InChiefsHell I've always assumed Gonzo was a black/hispanic mix but I never really cared either. Do you have better information?

Regardless my point about his soft skills while in the public eye stands.

Redrum_69 · 03-16-2007, 12:39 PM

oh look...another Warpaint bandwidth leftover.

Gochiefs posting is like his mom...its all about the sloppy seconds

htismaqe · 03-16-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ck_IN

He walked into the historic Abraham Lincoln Wyndham Hotel late Thursday afternoon wearing a spiffy warmup and a menacing scowl. That frown has become as much a Larry Johnson trademark

During a 15-minute interview with newspaper reporters, L.J. appeared disinterested, continually fiddling with his Blackberry and staring at the floor.

htismaqe that has all the earmarks along with other ancedotal info of someone trying to portray themselves as a thug gangsta. Now granted he's not flagging the Crips colors and shooting anyone but it's pretty clear what he's aiming for, for anyone caring to see it. If you don't agree then we can agree to disagree.

InChiefsHell I've always assumed Gonzo was a black/hispanic mix but I never really cared either. Do you have better information?

Regardless my point about his soft skills while in the public eye stands.

The only way that behavior has the "earmarks" of acting like a "thug gangsta" is if YOU are LOOKING FOR ANY EXCUSE to label him as such.

Plain and simple.

He's aloof. He's anti-social. Sometimes, he's downright rude. None of those things equal him trying to portray himself as a "thug" or a "gangsta".

If he wasn't black, you wouldn't be calling him that, and you know it.

As for Gonzo being such a better public figure than LJ, tell that to the kids he ignores every year at training camp because he's too good to talk to them or sign their stuff...

htismaqe · 03-16-2007, 12:41 PM

I met with the CEO of a Fortune 100 company today.

He acted like a total thug and gangsta, playing with his Blackberry during the entire meeting and not listening to anything anybody said...

crazycoffey · 03-16-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I met with the CEO of a Fortune 100 company today.

He acted like a total thug and gangsta, playing with his Blackberry during the entire meeting and not listening to anything anybody said...

My wife can act like a thug gangsta too, she ignores me and messes with her blackberry all the time.......

ck_IN · 03-16-2007, 12:44 PM

If he wasn't black, you wouldn't be calling him that, and you know it.

If Green were acting like this would you be rushing to his defense? Perhaps I'm not the one concerned about his race.

InChiefsHeaven · 03-16-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ck_IN

InChiefsHell I've always assumed Gonzo was a black/hispanic mix but I never really cared either. Do you have better information?

Nope, I just always assumed he was Mexican. I mean, he doesn't look black at all to me...and like you say, I guess I've never really cared either...

htismaqe · 03-16-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ck_IN

If he wasn't black, you wouldn't be calling him that, and you know it.

If Green were acting like this would you be rushing to his defense? Perhaps I'm not the one concerned about his race.

I'm not defending LJ. I attacking what appears to be a very biased, unfounded opinion.

Nice try deflecting attention away from the fact that you have no basis for your argument.

leviw · 03-16-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ck_IN

It has a lot to do with race. But I guarentee ck_IN or anyone else who calls the guy a thug and says he needs to realize he's not in a gang doesn't have the balls to admit it.

What a total load of bullshit. I couldn't care less what the man's race is. He was born and bred in the suburbs, he has a father that's a coach at a Big 10 university and this idiot wants to portray himself as a gangsta, Jay-Z posse member and tell all of us how tough it is for a black man to play in the NFL. Bullshit

As for his social skills/PR abilities/whatever, it just isn't that hard to be civil when the occasion calls for it. Gonzo is a black man and he seems to pull it off. Green is a white man and he does just fine. Priest may or may not have those soft skills but he has the good sense to keep his mouth shut and not portray himself as something he clearly isn't.

Black, white, yellow or purple, LJ is a poser and not a good one at that.

Told you you would deny it. What's funny is that you spend the whole second paragraph talking about race. Terrible response on your part.(And, btw, Gonzo isn't a black man).

And since you made it a topic, even though it's clearly not, did you ever think that a black kid growing up in 90-percent white suberbs might be exposed to even more negative racial situations thatn a black kid growing up in a black community?

Crashride · 03-16-2007, 06:18 PM

WTF so if you use a black berry at an unappropriate time and have a serious look on your face your a thug. Based on that, anyone with a black berry can be a gangsta. Completely ridiculous statement. And Gonzo aint black...... I should have stoped reading after I saw that

Direckshun · 03-16-2007, 09:17 PM

Larry's a complex individual.

He's not a friendly guy, but he's by no means a destructive guy.

That second part is easily forgotten. Especially in articles like this, where reporters and writers are comparing him to the biggest idiots in the NFL, and asking him questions like "are you misunderstood, homey?"

Give me a break. Larry's no savior, but he's a smart football player, and a fairly sharp guy.

I hope he remains a Chief for a long time, but I don't think it's going to happen because he's not a locker room leader. LJ is going to demand a payday when his time comes, and Herm only forks out big bucks for leaders.

So I think there's going to be a day when LJ and the Chiefs part ways. I only hope he can take us places before he leaves, and that he's remembered as a football player, not a stupid caricature.

03-16-2007, 06:32 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1000478	Angry Young Runner http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/16915995.htm Angry young runner Former Penn State and NFL star Larry Johnson had his game face on at charity dinner Thursday. JERRY KELLAR jkellar@timesleader.com READING – He walked into the historic Abraham Lincoln Wyndham Hotel late Thursday afternoon wearing a spiffy warmup and a menacing scowl. That frown has become as much a Larry Johnson trademark as the former Penn State football star’s fierce rushing style. With L.J., some things never change. Only, his angry young man act is playing on Sundays these days – and playing quite well at that. The Kansas City Chiefs’ All-Pro running back was the featured celebrity at the 8th annual Second Mile Kick-Off dinner. Run by former Nittany Lion defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, the Second Mile helps children who are dealing with “challenging circumstances.” Johnson, who rushed for more than 1,700 yards the last two seasons for the Chiefs, was accompanied by his parents, Larry and Christine. Mom and dad looked happy to be on hand. L.J. … well, he was typical L.J. After changing into an expensive-looking suit, he signed his name to a few dozen items that were to be auctioned off for the charity later in the evening. He chatted with dinner officials and posed for autographs with fans, never once displaying even a hint of a smile. During a 15-minute interview with newspaper reporters, L.J. appeared disinterested, continually fiddling with his Blackberry and staring at the floor. He looked up occasionally, especially when asked if he is misunderstood as a human being. “I really don’t care anymore,” he said. “I play football. That’s what I was born to do and that’s what I’m doing.” It’s fitting that the 27-year-old Pomfret. Md., native places controversial NFL legend Jim Brown at the top of his football idols list. L.J. can appear every bit as cold and unapproachable. “I think that’s what makes him who he is,” Larry Johnson Sr. said of his oldest son. “He likes to have a mystique. Larry likes to be intimidating. He likes to walk into a room and get your attention. ‘Wow, should we stay away or should we approach him?’ That’s the way he is.” L.J. isn’t sure if he’s among the most disliked players in the Chiefs locker room, as was written recently by a Kansas City columnist. “Guys think what they want to think. Not everybody gets along,” he said. “Like I said, I don’t really care what anybody else thinks. I do what I was born to do. That’s the only thing people expect of me. I show up on Sundays and I play.” As for the writer’s comparison of Johnson to Terrell Owens and Randy Moss, L.J. responded: “I do what I’m gonna do on a normal basis and he wakes up and dreams to be me on a normal basis. So it doesn’t bother me.” He has heard other such unflattering comparisons before. “They also said that Penn State running backs won’t be able to do anything (in the NFL) either. … Basically, the way I look at it, I really wasn’t supposed to do anything.” Unlike most of his recent Nittany Lion predecessors, L.J.’s career has taken off at the highest level. Last season, he carried the ball an NFL-record 416 times and gained 1,789 yards. That topped his personal-best of 1,750 yards, set in the previous year. “Every opportunity that came his way, he went running through the door,” said Johnson Sr., Penn State’s veteran defensive line coach. “At Penn State he did it. Kansas City, he’s doing it, too. There’s something in his makeup that makes him who he is. So why change it? I’d like to see him smile all the time and be happy. But that’s not who he is right now.” Although L.J. was never considered a bad teammate while at Penn State, that perception apparently has changed with the Chiefs, according to reports. “At Penn State, we didn’t play for money, either,” L.J. explains. “So that’s usually a different situation. Guys get jealous. First year (in the NFL), you weren’t doing anything and (nobody) expected anything and now you’re the talk of the town. There’s a lot of jealously. It’s something that can’t be ignored, something that doesn’t go away. You just gotta accept it for what it is and keep moving.” His goal is to make a mark on the sport he loves before giving it up. “I want to win two or three Super Bowls and, hopefully, get into the Hall of Fame,” L.J. said. “I won’t say I can be the best-ever, but I do want to be mentioned as one of the best.”
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03-16-2007, 11:59 AM	#31
Tactical Funky Funkmeister Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Casino cash: $10005525	Larry Johnson is a dish best served...angry. __________________ This is my signature.
Posts: 1,998

03-16-2007, 12:11 PM	#32
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $8179900	I'd like to see the portion of this article where Larry acts like a "thug gangsta". The only bullshit around here ain't coming from Larry.
Posts: 104,292

03-16-2007, 12:16 PM	#33
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	I'd be happy if I just didn't hear any more tales of him sleeping or texting Beyonce during meetings.
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03-16-2007, 12:23 PM	#34
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $755437	I didn't know Tony Gonzales was black...? __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
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03-16-2007, 12:32 PM	#35
ck_IN Feels so good. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10004900	He walked into the historic Abraham Lincoln Wyndham Hotel late Thursday afternoon wearing a spiffy warmup and a menacing scowl. That frown has become as much a Larry Johnson trademark During a 15-minute interview with newspaper reporters, L.J. appeared disinterested, continually fiddling with his Blackberry and staring at the floor. htismaqe that has all the earmarks along with other ancedotal info of someone trying to portray themselves as a thug gangsta. Now granted he's not flagging the Crips colors and shooting anyone but it's pretty clear what he's aiming for, for anyone caring to see it. If you don't agree then we can agree to disagree. InChiefsHell I've always assumed Gonzo was a black/hispanic mix but I never really cared either. Do you have better information? Regardless my point about his soft skills while in the public eye stands. __________________ As sweet as Tupelo Honey
Posts: 2,718

03-16-2007, 12:39 PM	#36
Redrum_69 Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: your nightmares Casino cash: $10004900	oh look...another Warpaint bandwidth leftover. Gochiefs posting is like his mom...its all about the sloppy seconds
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03-16-2007, 12:41 PM	#38
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $8179900	I met with the CEO of a Fortune 100 company today. He acted like a total thug and gangsta, playing with his Blackberry during the entire meeting and not listening to anything anybody said...
Posts: 104,292

03-16-2007, 12:44 PM	#40
ck_IN Feels so good. Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10004900	If he wasn't black, you wouldn't be calling him that, and you know it. If Green were acting like this would you be rushing to his defense? Perhaps I'm not the one concerned about his race. __________________ As sweet as Tupelo Honey
Posts: 2,718

03-16-2007, 06:18 PM	#44
Crashride We got DANCERS in tampa Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Casino cash: $10004900	WTF so if you use a black berry at an unappropriate time and have a serious look on your face your a thug. Based on that, anyone with a black berry can be a gangsta. Completely ridiculous statement. And Gonzo aint black...... I should have stoped reading after I saw that
Posts: 1,964

03-16-2007, 09:17 PM	#45
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2103447	Larry's a complex individual. He's not a friendly guy, but he's by no means a destructive guy. That second part is easily forgotten. Especially in articles like this, where reporters and writers are comparing him to the biggest idiots in the NFL, and asking him questions like "are you misunderstood, homey?" Give me a break. Larry's no savior, but he's a smart football player, and a fairly sharp guy. I hope he remains a Chief for a long time, but I don't think it's going to happen because he's not a locker room leader. LJ is going to demand a payday when his time comes, and Herm only forks out big bucks for leaders. So I think there's going to be a day when LJ and the Chiefs part ways. I only hope he can take us places before he leaves, and that he's remembered as a football player, not a stupid caricature.
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