Kansas City, MO (Sportsbooks) - Chiefs running back Larry Johnson issued an apology Wednesday for his recent behavior, which has led to his benching for a second consecutive week.
Johnson's most recent troubles came during Kansas City's bye weekend, on October 14, when he was accused of spitting his drink in a woman's face following a late-night altercation at a nightclub.
"I want to start off by saying I apologize to the Hunt family and my family, first and foremost and to fans, my teammates, coaches and players," said Johnson. "This is the first time in my life that I actually woke up and was kind of disgusted with myself and disgusted as far as the way my life and my career is headed right now."
The news first broke on Sunday night after the Chiefs suffered a 34-10 home loss to the unbeaten Tennessee Titans. Johnson was not active for the game.
"I'm going to work to that point to get my life back on track and know that I and I alone put myself in these critical situations...where things don't come out favorably to me," Johnson said. "All I can do is promise to you guys and to people who are watching that as a man, I'm still growing and as a man everyone makes mistakes."
The story comes less than a week after word surfaced that Johnson was facing a simple assault charge for pushing a woman at a Kansas City nightclub in an unrelated incident. The Kansas City Star obtained court and police documents and reported the 26-year-old woman accused Johnson of using his open hand to push the left side of her head. Johnson faces a December court date for the incident, which occurred February 24 of this year.
Although no charges have been filed in the latest incident, Johnson has already faced three charges with assaulting a woman since he came to the Chiefs. In 2003 Johnson was accused of aggravated assault and misdemeanor domestic battery for waving a gun at his ex-girlfriend, but the charges were dropped because the running back entered a domestic-violence program. In 2005, Johnson was accused of pushing a woman to the ground at another KC nightspot, but the charges were later dropped.
"In times of darkness, you've got to look for the light and that's what I'm doing, regardless of what suspensions and fines are being handed down," Johnson said. "I will take them as sincerely as they give themout."
Johnson has run for 417 yards and three touchdowns this season for the Chiefs (1-5). That includes a 198-yard, two-TD performance in their lone win of the season, 33-19, over Denver on September 28.
