Larry Johnson Charged With Assault

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was charged with simple assault today for allegedly spitting a drink in a woman’s face and threatening to kill her boyfriend. He turned himself in and posted a $500 bond.

Simple assault is like getting a traffic ticket. It’s a municipal charge and carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and 180 days in jail. But that’s the least of Larry’s problems. He was already facing a possible suspension by the NFL for a number of off-the-field incidents and will meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at league headquarters in New York tomorrow to decide his fate. Chiefs president and GM Carl Peterson announced that the team will continue their season without Larry in the foreseeable future:

“The case with Larry Johnson has been and continues to be in the hands of the NFL office in New York. We will defer further comment on the matter until that process has run its due course and the league has concluded its own independent investigation. As we have previously indicated, it is in the best interest of both Larry and the Chiefs that Larry focuses his attention on addressing his personal issues. At present, we do not believe Larry can contribute to our team on the field until those issues are resolved.”

Larry owned up to his mistakes in a press conference statement last week and said he would accept whatever punishment the league handed down to him. You can bet there will be a suspension. The question will be how long. Most importantly, though, Larry understands that his behavior was wrong and seems to be determined to change his ways. Even if he doesn’t see the field again this season, he will hopefully return to the team a new man in 2009.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom