NEW YORK -- Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was suspended for Week 10 of the NFL season by Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
Johnson has been deactivated the last two weeks by Kansas City and will also be held out a third game this Sunday against Tampa Bay. He will miss the Chiefs' game at San Diego on Nov. 9 under the NFL's suspension.
Johnson is not permitted on the team's premises until Nov. 10. The suspension will cost him about $147,000, or one game check.
"We respect the decision of commissioner Goodell," said Carl Peterson, president of the Kansas City Chiefs. "The NFL player conduct policy sets forth a set of standards that all NFL players, coaches and staff members must abide by. Upon the completion of his suspension we sincerely hope that Larry will be ready to return to the field for the Chiefs determined to make a positive contribution to our team and, with the assistance of the people around him, turn his life around."
Johnson was charged Monday with simple assault for spitting his drink in a woman's face on Oct. 10.
Johnson also faces a Dec. 4 court date for another incident that occurred last February when he allegedly pushed a woman's face in another Kansas City nightspot.
The most recent alleged incident at a Kansas City nightspot marked the fourth time in five years Johnson has been accused of assaulting a woman.
The 28-year-old Johnson apologized for his behavior last week.
"This is the first time in my life I actually had to stand up, I mean actually woke up and kind of be disgusted with myself and disgusted as far as the way my life and my career is heading right now," he said.
He concluded by saying, "In times of darkness, you've got to look for the light and that's what I plan on doing, regardless of what suspensions and fines are being handed down. I will take them as sincerely as they give them out."
In 2005 and 2006, Johnson was one of the best running backs in the NFL. He went to the Pro Bowl after rushing for more than 1,750 yards in each season. After a training camp holdout in 2007, he was rewarded with a contract that guaranteed a team-record $19 million. But he was injured the last half of the 2007 season and has been inconsistent so far this year for the Chiefs (1-6).
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
