ChiefsPlanet - Chiefs Fans uniting against Larry Johnson

The torches and pitchforks are out.

Stop Larry Johnson from being the Chiefs all time leading rusher

To: Kansas City Chiefs Fans

Dear Scott Pioli,

Let us start with the point: We do not want Larry Johnson to become the Kansas City Chiefs all time leading rusher.

We are lifelong fans of the Kansas City Chiefs. Win or lose, good or bad, right or wrong, we love the Kansas City Chiefs. Growing up in Kansas City, we were raised knowing there are two seasons in KC: Chiefs season and Road Construction. We feel we speak for an entire city when we say that we are an organization of hard working fans, hard working players and blue collar coaches that care passionately about not only our win/loss record, but also for the integrity of the game of football.

Being new to the organization, we would like to talk about something that has been on our minds since before the season started. We have had a long standing tradition of putting the best players in roles that best serve the needs of our team.

As a fan base, we have always taken pride in some of the names that have played on our field, hung in the Ring of Honor and those that are now immortalized in the Hall of Fame at Arrowhead Stadium. Names like Bobby Bell, Christian Okoye, Willie Roaf, Lenny Dawson, Priest Holmes, Abner Hayes and the amazing Derrick Thomas. These are just a few of the names that will live forever in the hearts and minds of Chiefs fans everywhere.

The times we've spent watching and supporting our great past players are times that we hold dear. The players were role models for us as we grew up, and they will be names we share with our children as they grow up. With that being said, one name that I hope is never mentioned amongst those great Chief names is Larry Johnson.

While we are thankful for his service, we feel that Larry has been a black eye on the organization and has no business being mentioned with some of the above names.

During his first few years in Kansas City, Larry Johnson ran through holes created by one of the greatest offensive lines ever put together. He was handed the ball and was asked to follow Tony Richardson, the best fullback to ever don a Chiefs helmet. Because of those early successes, Larry Johnson now sits on the cusp of becoming the all-time leading rusher in Kansas City Chiefs history. Not to discredit anything he has accomplished, but we believe it would be a travesty if Larry were to surpass the great Priest Holmes as the Chiefs all-time leading rusher.

It's not a hidden fact that Larry hates being in Kansas City. He doesn't like the organization, he doesn't like the fans, he doesn’t like the city. He has been more than vocal about how he feels about being a Chief. We've waited for years for him to be traded and we don't believe that there is an offensive line that can open a hole big enough for Larry and the chip on his shoulder to run through.

Let's talk about facts now. So far on the season, here are Larry's numbers:
7 Games
132 attempts
358 yards
2.7 yards per carry
51.1 yards per game
0 TD
0 runs of 20 or more yards
2 fumbles

That is abysmal. For a professional back in the NFL, that is absolutely terrible. There is no reason for him to keep getting starts. There is no reason for him to even see the ball. There is no reason for him to be on the sidelines. The number 27 should be taken off the field because of a line like that.

We are asking you, as fans of this team, this organization, and of the pride that this city has in the Chiefs, please deactivate Larry Johnson. Please do not let his name sit atop the all-time rushing leaders in Kansas City Chiefs history. He needs a mere 80 yards to surpass Priest. He doesn’t deserve that opportunity. He has never represented anything close to the values that we have for our Chiefs and it would be another dagger to the fans that continue to support this proud franchise.

We are asking this as a favor to those of us who have supported this team long, long, long before you were brought in. We will support you through thick and thin - you will find out that we are a loyal, loyal bunch. As you will learn, Kansas Citians are very supportive of our organizations. We love the Royals and the Chiefs. We understand there are ups and downs and we do not expect the team to win 12 games every year. We know the Chiefs will get better and that it might take some time. While we may be frustrated at times, we understand. However, allowing Larry Johnson to attain a record is something that can never be erased. In a year where the team is trying to look toward the future with many young players, please don’t add to the collective morose this city is feeling by allowing one of the truly great players, people, and role models in this city’s sporting history to be replaced in the record books by someone who we don’t like and who doesn’t like us. Show this town you are the leader the organization needs and release or deactivate Larry Johnsons now and never again let him wear the red and gold on Sunday.

Thanks for your time and understanding.

Sincerely,
The Undersigned