Former All-Pro running back Larry Johnson is accused of beating the living daylights out of a man ... who later allegedly told police, "This ni**er is going down" -- referring to Johnson.

In a civil lawsuit, filed last week, the alleged victim -- John Phillip Graney -- claims he was leaving a Miami Beach party in May when Johnson punched, tackled, and kicked him ... leaving Graney "beaten and brutalized."

Miami Beach police responded, and according to the official report ... Graney told an officer, "This ni**er is going down. He needs to learn a lesson, it's going to cost this prick."

TMZ obtained photos of Graney's alleged battle scars ... and according to the suit he suffered cuts to his face and ear, bruised chest and knees ... 3 herniated discs, and a torn rotator cuff.


Graney claims the whole fight was unprovoked. As for using the n-word ... his attorney Jonathan Davidoff says Graney is not a racist and "does not recall making those statements."

Johnson denies all the allegations in the lawsuit -- and his attorney tells TMZ, "This is a straight extortion claim designed to seek money."

Now that he's out of the NFL, washed up former KC Chiefs running back Larry Johnson had nothing better to do but chauffeur singer/actress Mya around on a golf cart in Belize this week.



The two are rumored to be dating.  It's all about driving Miss Mya.

Former UNLV and NY Knick forward Larry Johnson made a bunch of hysterical Converse ads as Grandmama in the '90s. Guess what he looks like now!

NFL star Larry Johnson should never have been allowed into a Kansas City nightclub, in which he allegedly spat on and threatened to kill a woman last year, this according to a new lawsuit.



Johnson, a former KC Chiefs running back, has already been sued over the alleged incident -- but now, Ashley Stewart is going after Blonde Nightclub too claiming a caller gave them fair warning that Johnson was in the mood to cause trouble earlier that night.

TMZ spoke with Stewart's attorney, who tells us, "The caller warned the club that Larry would be on his way, and that he had been drinking, and causing trouble ... yet they failed to stop him from entering the club."

In the suit, filed Wednesday in Jackson County, Missouri, Stewart claims Blonde failed to ensure her health, safety and well-being and failed to provide a "reasonably safe environment."

Stewart is suing for an unspecified amount -- but enough to "punish" the nightclub.

The alleged altercation was one of several controversial incidents involving Johnson while he was still a Chief -- LJ has since been shipped out and is now Cincinnati's problem.

UPDATE: LJ has reportedly signed with the Bengals.

Homophobic slur-hurling running back Larry Johnson is expected to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals any minute now -- but a local gay rights group is already considering the move a "slap in the face."

TMZ spoke with Lesley Jones, executive director of Equality Cincinnati, who tells us "We do not think that would be a favorable decision on the part of the Bengals.

We would see this as a slap in the face to all the work we've done for equality and LBGT (lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender) rights in Cincinnati."

[The Bengals] must take action to prove that they support equality and LBGT rights in the city."

Johnson was recently cut by the Kansas City Chiefs after making a flurry of controversial statements -- including dropping the f-bomb twice in a 24 hour period.

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially kicked Larry Johnson to the curb -- cutting the running back from the NFL team in the wake of his gay slur scandal.

Johnson was just 75 yards away from becoming the team's all-time leading rusher when he was suspended last month, and now it seems he'll remain number two.

The move to chop Johnson gives Chiefs fans one thing to cheer about this season -- in the last few days, tons of KC fans signed a petition to get rid of the running back.

Johnson had used the homophobic f-word in verbal attacks twice in two days -- he also publicly ripped the team's coach.

He also sucks now ... so the team should be better off without him anyway.

Larry Johnson is roughly 80 yards away from becoming the all time leading rusher for the Kansas City Chiefs -- but after his anti-gay slur scandal last week, Chiefs fans want him off the team before he has a chance to make history.

Hundreds of loyal Chiefs fans have signed a petition, begging the team owner to keep Larry Johnson's name out of the Chiefs Hall of Fame forever.

The petition reads:

"Larry has been a black eye on the organization ... We are asking you, as fans of this team, this organization, and of the pride that this city has in the Chiefs, please deactivate Larry Johnson.

Please do not let his name sit atop the all-time rushing leaders in Kansas City Chiefs history."

We spoke to one of the fans behind the petition, Andy Phelan, who tells us: "I would love it if we never see Larry Johnson in a Chiefs uniform again ... He's a cancer in the locker room."

Larry Johnson's agent claims he's appealing the KC Chiefs decision to suspend the running back for dropping a gay slur this week -- but the real story is that the agent claims he "didn't realize" the F-word was offensive in the first place.

TMZ spoke with Peter Schafer -- who is also Johnson's lawyer -- who explained:

"We know the N-word is unacceptable, that's not disputable -- but f*g? I'm learning that there's a segment of our society that finds it offensive and that it should not be used. I didn't realize that, but I do know now..."

FYI -- Johnson was suspended for conduct deemed "detrimental to the team."

GLAAD has responded to Larry Johnson's apology for hurling a gay slur at reporters yesterday -- and they're hoping the ordeal can be used as an example to other players in the NFL.

President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Jarrett Barrios tells TMZ: "Larry Johnson's apology sends an important message that there is no excuse for using anti-gay epithets.

GLAAD is continuing to call on the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs to use this unfortunate incident as a way to educate and start a dialogue with players and fans regarding the dangers of homophobia in sports."

As we previously reported, the Kansas City Chiefs have already sidelined Johnson from team activities.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is in hot water with GLAAD -- after the former NFL Pro-Bowler reportedly dropped the homophobic f-bomb twice in the last 24 hours.


President of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Jarrett Barrio is calling for the NFL to take action against Johnson, saying "All too often this is the word that is used to ridicule and harass young gay and transgender athletes on local sports fields across America.

Professional athletes who use this word need to be held accountable for feeding a climate of intolerance toward our community. NFL officials need to take action and condemn this and future uses of this anti-gay epithet."

Earlier today, it was reported Johnson hurled the slur at a group of reporters after he had already used the same f-word to attack someone on Twitter.