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NFL Player Suspended After Tweeting Gay Slur

by Caleb Johnson on October 30, 2009 at 08:25 AM

After making a social networking gaffe that would make even Chad Ochocinco blush, Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson has found himself mired in controversy and suspended from the team. According to ESPN, Johnson was told by Chiefs officials earlier this week to "stay away from the team," and Reuters reports that he's been suspended until November 9th over his use of gay slurs Sunday on his Twitter account, and to a group of reporters Monday.

According to USA Today, the first few pertinent tweets, which were posted on Johnson's protected account 'Toonicon,' were digs at Chiefs coach Todd Haley. "My father played for the coach from 'rememeber [sic] the titans'. Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn," Johnson wrote on Sunday. Then, some of the star's followers began tweeting back. When one referenced a recent nightclub incident that led to Johnson's being put on probation, he responded with a three-letter gay slur directed toward the follower. As if that wasn't terrible enough, according to the Kansas City Star, Johnson muttered the same slur on Monday in front of some reporters, saying, "Get your f****t ass out of here."

Despite an apology, the backlash has been fierce. Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, called for the NFL to discipline Johnson as a way to illustrate "the dangers of homophobia in sports." Even Larry Johnson, Sr. said he was hurt by his son's words. "That's just not who we are and not what we believe," he said.

Johnson wouldn't be the first person "sacked" for posting inappropriate tweets, but he'd certainly be the first with such a high profile. That's one place in the record books we're sure he wouldn't like to have. [From: Reuters, Kansas City Star, Christian Science Monitor, ESPN and USA Today]

Tags: football, larry johnson, LarryJohnson, nfl, socialnetworking, sports, suspension, top, twitter, web

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