Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson's career with the football team is over, the Kansas City Star reported. Johnson was sacked by the Chiefs on the day he was scheduled to return to work after facing disciplinary action over gay slurs.

Johnson allegedly used gay slurs in public venues twice during a 24-hour period, including one directed at reporters in the locker room.

In an October 25 Twitter post, Johnson belittled coach Todd Haley, saying Johnson's father “played for the coach from 'remember the titans'” and Haley “played golf.” He went on to insult a follower, calling his profile picture a “fag pic” and the person a “Christopher street boy,” a reference to being gay.

The next day, while refusing to answer questions from reporters in the locker room, Johnson said, “I'm not talking till Thursday,” then whispered, “Get your faggot ass out of here,” according to the paper. Thursday is the team's scheduled press day.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a media watchdog group, immediately called for an apology.

“Professional athletes who use this word need to be held accountable for giving a license to youth to bully their peers,” GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios said on the group's blog. “NFL officials and the Kansas City Chiefs need to take disciplinary action to condemn this and future uses of all anti-gay epithets.”

Johnson apologized to everyone involved – from coach Haley to the youth who view him as a role model – except the gay community. “I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said,” Johnson said.

Chiefs management barred Johnson from practice and other team activities until Monday, November 9, leaving him out of play from a single November 8 game against Jacksonville. But on Monday, management announced it would release Johnson, instead.

“A part of him is excited and a part of him is very regretful,” Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, told the Associated Press. “There's a lot of feelings going on right now. It's analogous to breaking up with a girlfriend. Maybe you saw it coming, but it still hurts when it happens.”

After the incident, 39-year legendary Kansas City sportscaster Jack Harry called for Johnson to be sacked, saying he “really crossed the line.”

“Let's face it, he's nothing but a problem maker,” Harry said in a televised editorial. “But the real reason you want to run him out of town is for the safety of all women in our city.”

Johnson has been arrested four times since 2003 on various assault charges against women. He's currently serving two years probation from two incidents in 2008. One woman claims Johnson threw a drink at her, while another says he pushed her head at a nightclub.