An online petition started by Chiefs fans practically begs general manager Scott Pioli to deactivate Johnson and keep him on the sideline so he cannot pass Priest Holmes for the team rushing record, or join the team's Ring of Honor. Holmes holds the Chiefs' rushing record with 6,070 yards; Johnson has 5,996 yards.

"While we are thankful for his service, we feel that Larry has been a black eye on the organization and has no business being mentioned" among the team's all-time greats, the petition reads. It goes on to rip him for not representing the "values" of Chiefs fans and that seeing his name atop the all-time rushing list would be "another dagger to the fans that continue to support this proud franchise."

Ouch.

As of yesterday afternoon, at least 1,400 signatures had been collected. The Chiefs suspended Johnson without pay through Nov. 8 after he questioned coach Todd Haley's qualifications on his Twitter account and twice used a gay slur.

Cheap shot in Calgary

A senior staff member for Alberta Health Services in Canada was fired for giving members of the Calgary Flames swine flu shots while thousands of people waited in line for the vaccine last week. The board, which reports directly to the provincial government, said more people might be punished for their roles in the line-butting.

Flames president Ken King said the players and their families received their shots on Friday at a private location. He said they believed they had gone through proper channels, adding that he felt they were given priority because of their extensive cross-border travel and the closecontact nature of their sport.

Hmmm . . . doesn't really explain how that applies to team management and family members.

- Joe Berkery

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