Angry Young Runner

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.”

03-16-2007, 06:32 AM	Topic Starter
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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