Chiefs LJ's father hurt by his remarks - Page 6

Sure-Oz · 10-27-2009, 10:51 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1534253.html

Posted on Tue, Oct. 27, 2009
Larry Johnson’s father among those hurt by his remarks
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

His voice comes through soft but pointed. He remembers his childhood in the Jim Crow South and understands the daggers of inequality and the tarnish of discrimination.

“I went through that,” he said. “My generation.”

Larry Johnson Sr. said that he vowed so many years ago that he would teach his children to treat everyone with compassion. He said he raised them to consider everyone equal, regardless of race, gender, beliefs or sexual orientation. He said it hurts that his son, Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, used gay slurs in public two times in 24 hours.

“That’s just not who we are and not what we believe,” said the elder Johnson, 56. “It’s not how he was raised.

“It’s tough for me as a father.”

He said young Larry learned that hateful or inappropriate words are “just not tolerated.”

On Tuesday, Johnson learned that lesson again. After he issued an apology, the Chiefs instructed him to stay away from their headquarters and barred him from all team activities. Johnson remains on the roster, and he will continue to be paid. He was similarly benched for three weeks last season before being suspended by the NFL because of his alleged involvement in separate skirmishes with two women at Kansas City nightspots.

The Chiefs did not say how long Johnson would be out or whether he might face further punishment from the team or the league. An NFL spokesman said this week that the league is investigating the matter. But Johnson wasn’t at the team’s complex Tuesday, and his locker was undisturbed.

It was at that locker where Johnson muttered a gay slur to reporters on Monday morning, hours after he posted disparaging remarks on his Twitter profile about Chiefs coach Todd Haley’s lack of football playing experience.

“Get your bundle of sticks ass out of here,” Johnson said after saying he wouldn’t speak publicly until Thursday, his normal day of meeting with the media.

On Tuesday, Johnson apologized in a statement released by his agent, Peter Schaffer. Neither incident was addressed specifically, and the apology was directed toward Haley, the Chiefs’ fans, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Johnson’s teammates.

“I regret my actions,” the statement read. “The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate. I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said.”

Rashad Robinson, senior programs director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said Johnson’s apology was a good start. Robinson said it was a sign that Johnson takes seriously the inflammatory nature of the slurs, and Robinson said he hopes Johnson learned the hard way that words can be damaging.

“For him to use the word and feel that it’s OK,” Robinson said, “it’s disappointing and really reminds us of the ongoing challenges we have in our community.

“We hope the statement is the first step. He has a real opportunity here. There are kids no doubt being bullied in Kansas City and across the country. This is one of the many words that get hurled at them to … feel ashamed of who they are. He (Johnson) is in an opportunity to be a role model for young people.”

Johnson’s father was his role model, and the old coach said his son’s words didn’t match what he was taught. Johnson Sr., the defensive line coach at Penn State University, was raised in Williamston, N.C., and he remembers the segregated water fountains and the split schools.

He said that his son is not homophobic and that he was raised with an emphasis on equality.

“Both sides of the world,” Johnson Sr. called it, and he said his son grew up knowing the difference between right and wrong.

The problem for Johnson is that he hasn’t always put his upbringing to good use. His Chiefs’ career has been stained by messy incidents, arrests and an attitude the team hoped had improved as he approaches his 30th birthday.

About a year ago, around the time Johnson was benched and suspended, Johnson tried to cleanse some parts of his life and the way he was perceived. He hired a new agent, Schaffer, who wouldn’t coddle him, and that was part of the plan to reinvent Johnson as a self-aware, if not reformed, NFL player.

“If someone is doing something I don’t perceive as being socially acceptable,” Schaffer said, “I express myself. But at the end of the day, the client makes the decision.

“I really believe that Larry Johnson has matured a great deal in the last 18 months.”

But then Sunday happened, and Johnson turned to Twitter. This message was posted to Johnson’s profile about three hours after the Chiefs lost 37-7 to the San Diego Chargers: “My father played for the coach from ‘rememeber the titans’. Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn.”

Johnson Sr. said he spoke with his son about the tweets and that, while he was flattered that his son was trying to compliment his father’s coaching abilities, he could have found a more diplomatic way of doing it.

“Could he have done it a little differently?” the elder Johnson said. “Sure.”

Larry Johnson later posted two derogatory references to gays, including writing to one of his Twitter followers that his profile included a “bundle of sticks pic.”

Through a spokesman, Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt referred The Kansas City Star to the team’s statement on Johnson’s benching, which said the Chiefs are “continuing to investigate the alleged comments made by Larry Johnson. Until that review is complete, the Chiefs have instructed Larry to refrain from practicing with the Chiefs or participating in other team activities.”

Haley said he hoped that the Chiefs’ latest obstacle would somehow make the team tougher, similar to a practice last week in a cold, steady rain.

“I want, first and foremost, a mentally tough team,” Haley said, “and this will be part of that hardening.

“I truly believe that this will all be part of making us a team that is competitive and has a chance to win Super Bowls.”

Johnson Sr. said his son wants to be a part of the Chiefs as the team moves toward the future. He said his son still enjoys football and wants to finish his career in Kansas City. He said he fears that, despite the progress he said his son made in the past 12 months, that Johnson will now be known as an angry bigot who’s not in control of his words or actions. Johnson Sr. said his son’s latest outburst began with frustration and ended with a mistake — a mistake the elder Johnson said he hopes does not define his son.

“Now you’re labeled,” Johnson Sr. said. “It’s unfortunate.”

He said his son is different.

“He does not hate gays. That’s not Larry, and that’s not our family,” he said. “He’s my son. You can’t disown him. We just talk to him, listen to him, and help him move forward.”

@ Go to KansasCity.com and the Red Zone for the latest news on Larry Johnson and the Chiefs.

MichaelH · 10-28-2009, 09:38 AM

If he was any kind of father, LJ wouldn't be the kind of dickhead that he is.

Fat Elvis · 10-28-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

People just need to sack up. If you're gay, prepare to get made fun of. That's just the way it works. It's weird, not considered normal, and society looks down upon it because it's very queer. If you **** goats, you're gonna get made fun of, people are gonna think you're weird.

Do you have any idea how much CoMo sounds like HoMo?

Are you trying to tell us something?

Sure-Oz · 10-28-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelH

If he was any kind of father, LJ wouldn't be the kind of dickhead that he is.

I'd say that's a pretty unfair statement. I know some idiots who have great parents, they just don't listen.

Fat Elvis · 10-28-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelH

If he was any kind of father, LJ wouldn't be the kind of dickhead that he is.

Wow. Good, even great, fathers can wind up with dickheads for sons. There is that whole thing about people having individual and independent personalities.....

MichaelH · 10-28-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I'd say that's a pretty unfair statement. I know some idiots who have great parents, they just don't listen.

did those idiots ever have their fathers kick their ass until next week like Larry's should have?

**jAZ** · 10-28-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jidar

I've called people pillowbiter hundreds if not thousands of times over my lifetime.

I shouldn't, and I know it. I'm about as homophobic as Elton John, in fact you can suck my dick if you think I'm homophobic, but it's just been the insult of choice for my generation and the one that followed.

It sucks ass that all the best insults have to be so hurtful to some people.

ps, I'm not in any way defending what Larry did. His dumb ass should have known better.

As today's the self appointed defender of "teh ghey" and critic of the term "f@ggot", I will acknowledge that what you say sounds honest to me, and I agree that the term is widely used as a pejorative that to some degree is a generic insult.

But unlike some other terms that have a literal meaning but are used as a generic insult (like "geek" or "dork"), the literal meaning of "f@ggot" is the very reason it's an insult.

But it's the fact that the term elicits such repulsive feelings in straight men that it is such a powerful insult to them. It's that underlying repulsiveness that is where the "hate" lies. You might not hate gay people yourself, and just use the term as a generic insult, but the power of the world you use is based on the fact that others do.

And in LJ's case, we can be certain he wasn't just using the term as a generic insult. He made that clear with his "Christopher Street" reference.

**Iowanian** · 10-28-2009, 09:53 AM

He probably should have gone with the more politically correct "Ice-dancer-American"

**Reaper16** · 10-28-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Pretty much how I think of this whole thing. The pussification of America continues...because "Times have changed" Thou shall not call people faqqots because the gay community will get angry and march their parade into your backyard.

What happens 100 years from now when people are whining because people with Beastiality fetishes want to be treated fairly??? I'm serious, yes I'm getting off track here but the point is will times change in society that will allow this? When will this kinda shit end? This is already happening in places like rural Utah and Montana. "Hey I wanna **** my dog or cow, and it should be okay to do so, I want to be treated fairly and have protected rights". REALLY?!?!?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

People just need to sack up. If you're gay, prepare to get made fun of. That's just the way it works. It's weird, not considered normal, and society looks down upon it because it's very queer. If you **** goats, you're gonna get made fun of, people are gonna think you're weird.

You wanna' equate homosexuality with bestiality any more or are you going to grow up into the civilized person your parents always hoped you'd be?

-King- · 10-28-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

As today's the self appointed defender of "teh ghey" and critic of the term "f@ggot", I will acknowledge that what you say sounds honest to me, and I agree that the term is widely used as a pejorative that to some degree is a generic insult.

But unlike some other terms that have a literal meaning but are used as a generic insult (like "geek" or "dork"), the literal meaning of "f@ggot" is the very reason it's an insult.

The literal meaning of f@ggot is a bundle of sticks.

Sorry to be a defenition nazi there. ....no offense to real nazis who might be offended
Posted via Mobile Device

CoMoChief · 10-28-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Elvis

Do you have any idea how much CoMo sounds like HoMo?

Are you trying to tell us something?

OOOOO wow, havent heard that one before

jidar · 10-28-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

People just need to sack up. If you're gay, prepare to get made fun of. That's just the way it works. It's weird, not considered normal, and society looks down upon it because it's very queer. If you **** goats, you're gonna get made fun of, people are gonna think you're weird.

I don't agree with that at all.
On a personal level that's how I deal with it if someone is ripping on me, but generally speaking I don't think that's how everyone should act.

CoMoChief · 10-28-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

You wanna' equate homosexuality with bestiality any more or are you going to grow up into the civilized person your parents always hoped you'd be?

My point is that 50 years ago this isn't even an issue, there are no Gay parades, gay organizations coming out demanding apologies everytime someone is called a f@ggot. People didn't come out back then like they do now.

BUT THIS IS 2009!!!! TIMES HAVE CHANGED!!!!!

My point is where does society draw the line? In 50-100 years from now or after our lifetime is society gonna accept people that like to **** animals like we supposedly do now with Gays??? Are there gonna be parades of people walking down streets demanding to be respected by the community even though they like to screw animals?

keg in kc · 10-28-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

My point is that 50 years ago this isn't even an issue, there are no Gay parades, gay organizations coming out demanding apologies everytime someone is called a f@ggot. People didn't come out back then like they do now.

BUT THIS IS 2009!!!! TIMES HAVE CHANGED!!!!!

My point is where does society draw the line? In 50-100 years from now or after our lifetime is society gonna accept people that like to **** animals like we supposedly do now with Gays??? Are there gonna be parades of people walking down streets demanding to be respected by the community even though they like to screw animals?

Congratulations, you may have just made the most inane comparison in the history of inane comparisons on Chiefs Planet.

Well done!

jidar · 10-28-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

My point is that 50 years ago this isn't even an issue, there are no Gay parades, gay organizations coming out demanding apologies everytime someone is called a f@ggot. People didn't come out back then like they do now.

BUT THIS IS 2009!!!! TIMES HAVE CHANGED!!!!!

My point is where does society draw the line? In 50-100 years from now or after our lifetime is society gonna accept people that like to **** animals like we supposedly do now with Gays??? Are there gonna be parades of people walking down streets demanding to be respected by the community even though they like to screw animals?

Society draws no lines and continues to evolve socially all the time. I'm sure it always seems unreasonable to the people who aren't. Bestiality though.... uh.. probably there.

CoMoChief · 10-28-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jidar

I don't agree with that at all.
On a personal level that's how I deal with it if someone is ripping on me, but generally speaking I don't think that's how everyone should act.

My point is the gay community needs to sack it up and stop ****ing whining whenver there is some gay slurs being said.

It happens all the time. Boo ****ing Hooo. This doesn't require a press conference or a public apology. This is dumb.

10-27-2009, 10:51 PM
Sure-Oz Stay positive, don't give up Join Date: Dec 2001 Casino cash: $1569383	LJ's father hurt by his remarks http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1534253.html Posted on Tue, Oct. 27, 2009 Larry Johnson’s father among those hurt by his remarks By KENT BABB The Kansas City Star His voice comes through soft but pointed. He remembers his childhood in the Jim Crow South and understands the daggers of inequality and the tarnish of discrimination. “I went through that,” he said. “My generation.” Larry Johnson Sr. said that he vowed so many years ago that he would teach his children to treat everyone with compassion. He said he raised them to consider everyone equal, regardless of race, gender, beliefs or sexual orientation. He said it hurts that his son, Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, used gay slurs in public two times in 24 hours. “That’s just not who we are and not what we believe,” said the elder Johnson, 56. “It’s not how he was raised. “It’s tough for me as a father.” He said young Larry learned that hateful or inappropriate words are “just not tolerated.” On Tuesday, Johnson learned that lesson again. After he issued an apology, the Chiefs instructed him to stay away from their headquarters and barred him from all team activities. Johnson remains on the roster, and he will continue to be paid. He was similarly benched for three weeks last season before being suspended by the NFL because of his alleged involvement in separate skirmishes with two women at Kansas City nightspots. The Chiefs did not say how long Johnson would be out or whether he might face further punishment from the team or the league. An NFL spokesman said this week that the league is investigating the matter. But Johnson wasn’t at the team’s complex Tuesday, and his locker was undisturbed. It was at that locker where Johnson muttered a gay slur to reporters on Monday morning, hours after he posted disparaging remarks on his Twitter profile about Chiefs coach Todd Haley’s lack of football playing experience. “Get your bundle of sticks ass out of here,” Johnson said after saying he wouldn’t speak publicly until Thursday, his normal day of meeting with the media. On Tuesday, Johnson apologized in a statement released by his agent, Peter Schaffer. Neither incident was addressed specifically, and the apology was directed toward Haley, the Chiefs’ fans, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Johnson’s teammates. “I regret my actions,” the statement read. “The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate. I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said.” Rashad Robinson, senior programs director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said Johnson’s apology was a good start. Robinson said it was a sign that Johnson takes seriously the inflammatory nature of the slurs, and Robinson said he hopes Johnson learned the hard way that words can be damaging. “For him to use the word and feel that it’s OK,” Robinson said, “it’s disappointing and really reminds us of the ongoing challenges we have in our community. “We hope the statement is the first step. He has a real opportunity here. There are kids no doubt being bullied in Kansas City and across the country. This is one of the many words that get hurled at them to … feel ashamed of who they are. He (Johnson) is in an opportunity to be a role model for young people.” Johnson’s father was his role model, and the old coach said his son’s words didn’t match what he was taught. Johnson Sr., the defensive line coach at Penn State University, was raised in Williamston, N.C., and he remembers the segregated water fountains and the split schools. He said that his son is not homophobic and that he was raised with an emphasis on equality. “Both sides of the world,” Johnson Sr. called it, and he said his son grew up knowing the difference between right and wrong. The problem for Johnson is that he hasn’t always put his upbringing to good use. His Chiefs’ career has been stained by messy incidents, arrests and an attitude the team hoped had improved as he approaches his 30th birthday. About a year ago, around the time Johnson was benched and suspended, Johnson tried to cleanse some parts of his life and the way he was perceived. He hired a new agent, Schaffer, who wouldn’t coddle him, and that was part of the plan to reinvent Johnson as a self-aware, if not reformed, NFL player. “If someone is doing something I don’t perceive as being socially acceptable,” Schaffer said, “I express myself. But at the end of the day, the client makes the decision. “I really believe that Larry Johnson has matured a great deal in the last 18 months.” But then Sunday happened, and Johnson turned to Twitter. This message was posted to Johnson’s profile about three hours after the Chiefs lost 37-7 to the San Diego Chargers: “My father played for the coach from ‘rememeber the titans’. Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn.” Johnson Sr. said he spoke with his son about the tweets and that, while he was flattered that his son was trying to compliment his father’s coaching abilities, he could have found a more diplomatic way of doing it. “Could he have done it a little differently?” the elder Johnson said. “Sure.” Larry Johnson later posted two derogatory references to gays, including writing to one of his Twitter followers that his profile included a “bundle of sticks pic.” Through a spokesman, Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt referred The Kansas City Star to the team’s statement on Johnson’s benching, which said the Chiefs are “continuing to investigate the alleged comments made by Larry Johnson. Until that review is complete, the Chiefs have instructed Larry to refrain from practicing with the Chiefs or participating in other team activities.” Haley said he hoped that the Chiefs’ latest obstacle would somehow make the team tougher, similar to a practice last week in a cold, steady rain. “I want, first and foremost, a mentally tough team,” Haley said, “and this will be part of that hardening. “I truly believe that this will all be part of making us a team that is competitive and has a chance to win Super Bowls.” Johnson Sr. said his son wants to be a part of the Chiefs as the team moves toward the future. He said his son still enjoys football and wants to finish his career in Kansas City. He said he fears that, despite the progress he said his son made in the past 12 months, that Johnson will now be known as an angry bigot who’s not in control of his words or actions. Johnson Sr. said his son’s latest outburst began with frustration and ended with a mistake — a mistake the elder Johnson said he hopes does not define his son. “Now you’re labeled,” Johnson Sr. said. “It’s unfortunate.” He said his son is different. “He does not hate gays. That’s not Larry, and that’s not our family,” he said. “He’s my son. You can’t disown him. We just talk to him, listen to him, and help him move forward.” @ Go to KansasCity.com and the Red Zone for the latest news on Larry Johnson and the Chiefs.
Posts: 46,342

10-28-2009, 09:38 AM	#76
MichaelH Go Chiefs! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Casino cash: $9192006	If he was any kind of father, LJ wouldn't be the kind of dickhead that he is.
Posts: 3,187

10-28-2009, 09:53 AM	#82
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1638454	He probably should have gone with the more politically correct "Ice-dancer-American"
Posts: 62,946