Chiefs tell Johnson to stay away after comments

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson gets past Buffalo Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell during the second half of Buffalo's win in their NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri November 23, 2008.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Kansas City Chiefs have ordered running back Larry Johnson to stay away from training and team activities while they investigate alleged comments made by the player.

The Chiefs said in a statement that they and the NFL were investigating the matter and that "a decision regarding Larry's status will be made once the investigation has concluded."

The Kansas City Star said Johnson posted demeaning comments, directed at Chiefs coach Todd Haley, on his Twitter feed hours after Sunday's 37-7 loss to the San Diego Chargers.

The paper added that Johnson used derogatory language in a reply to a follower on Twitter and to a reporter on Monday.

The Star said Johnson had issued a statement to them, through his agent, apologizing for his behavior and language used.

"I want to apologize to the fans of the Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the NFL, Commissioner (Roger) Goodell, the Chiefs organization, Coach Todd Haley, his staff, and my team mates for the words I used yesterday," he said.

"I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate. I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said.

"I also want to apologize to all the kids who view athletes as role models. I was not a good role model yesterday and hopefully I can become a better role model. We all make mistakes, and the challenge is to learn from them.

"I will do my best to learn from this one as I move toward becoming a better person, team mate, and member of the Kansas City Chiefs team and community."

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by Sonia Oxley)