"Larry Johnson isn't eligible to rejoin the Chiefs until Monday, but in his absence, the messages directed at him are mounting.

The team and thousands of fans sent pointed messages this week that Johnson's misdeeds of the past did not come without consequences. Near the Chiefs locker room, signs have been placed this week with words about unity, discretion and judgment. The most telling sign hung Wednesday near a hallway used frequently by players, coaches, reporters and organization officials. It stated: "Losers assemble in small groups and complain about the coaches and other players. Winners assemble as a team and find ways to win."

That message seemed clearly directed at Johnson, who called out coach Todd Haley last week in a Twitter post, before using a pair of gay slurs on his Twitter profile and, a day later, to a group of reporters. That combination of misbehavior was deemed detrimental to the team, and Johnson was suspended for two weeks. He'll miss Sunday's game at Jacksonville, and the suspension will cost him about $330,000.

When he returns - it's unclear if Johnson will face additional punishment - he'll be 74 yards shy of Priest Holmes' team rushing record. Johnson has said breaking the record is important to him, and a growing online movement has made it clear that it's important to many outsiders that Johnson not become the team's all-time leading rusher.

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, a petition aimed at stopping Johnson from breaking Holmes' record had collected more than 5,300 "signatures," or users who submitted their names in favor of preventing Johnson from becoming the most prolific rusher in Chiefs history.

Two of the three men who started the petition told The Star on Wednesday that it started as a discussion among friends - before it became clear the three Olathe natives and longtime Chiefs fans weren't alone.

"The fans are speaking in loud numbers. It doesn't grow like this without fans really caring," said Dan Cataldi, who lives in Des Moines and posted the petition last Thursday."