Long week for Johnson includes losing agent
If the situation weren't bad enough for embattled Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, the highest-paid player in team history also has lost his agent.
Johnson, informed Friday by the NFL that he has been suspended for the Nov. 9 game against San Diego for violating the league's personal conduct policy, lost his representation Monday when Alvin Keels resigned as his long-time agent.
"Larry and I really just didn't see things working out," Keels said without elaborating.
Johnson, deactivated the previous two games for violating team rules, will be inactive against Tampa Bay. His suspension by the league, which will cost Johnson about $147,000, comes on the heels of simple assault charges Monday that he spit his drink in a woman's face at a nightclub on Oct. 10.
While it's uncertain whether Johnson has acquired new representation, a lack of an agent won't look good for Johnson if he appeals his treatment by the Chiefs in recent weeks. Johnson was initially benched for being late to team functions and has generally made himself unpopular with coach Herm Edwards, who talked in the offseason about benching Johnson if the player's behavior didn't change, two sources said.
In fact, before Johnson signed a six-year, $45.05 million contract after a holdout in 2007, Edwards called Johnson's father to discuss the player's conduct.
"This is nothing new between Larry and the team," a source said. "It's all just coming to a head right now. Larry is never happy and he's a tough guy for the rest of the team to deal with. Herm is fed up and it's obvious."
The source indicated that depending on the financial ramifications of Johnson's action on his contract, Johnson could be traded or even released by Kansas City in the offseason. That would seem drastic for a 1-6 team that is at the bottom of the league in scoring (99 points), but is an indication of how far Johnson has fallen out of favor with team management.
