Chiefs' Johnson Charged With Assault After Nightclub Incident

Kansas City Chiefs tailback Larry Johnson was charged with simple assault yesterday for an incident at a nightclub earlier this month in which he is accused of spitting a drink at a woman's face.

A police spokesman told the Associated Press that Johnson turned himself in and then was released after posting a $500 bond. A court date was set for Dec. 4, the Kansas City Star reported. The incident, in which Johnson also was accused of threatening to kill the woman's boyfriend, reportedly occurred Oct. 10.

Johnson was facing a December court date on a simple assault charge stemming from a separate nightclub incident in February in which he allegedly pushed a woman's head with an open hand.

Johnson has been on the Chiefs' inactive list for each of their past two games, the first time for reportedly being late to meetings and other team functions. He also faces possible disciplinary action by the NFL under its personal conduct policy and reportedly is scheduled to meet today in New York with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He issued a public apology last week for his off-field problems. . . .

Kellen Winslow rejoined the Browns yesterday after having his one-game suspension by the team overturned as part of a settlement Saturday. He still didn't play in Sunday's win at Jacksonville, but Coach Romeo Crennel said at a news conference he would do his best to ensure that both sides put last week's contentiousness behind them. Crennel also indicated that Winslow probably will regain his place in the starting lineup.

Labor Issues

The NFL Players Association indicated it plans in the next set of labor negotiations with the league to press for an arbitration process by which players could appeal fines and suspensions imposed by the NFL for on-field incidents or off-field misbehavior. Such penalties currently can be appealed only to Goodell or someone designated by him.

A written statement on the union's Web site said the union had been able to negotiate favorable settlements in two recent cases of team-imposed discipline involving New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress and Winslow. In both cases, the statement said, the teams "knew they would have to justify their actions to a neutral arbitrator under our non-injury grievance procedure."

The statement also said: "Unfortunately, we do not have neutral arbitration for league discipline, and our success in challenging discipline for on-field conduct or for violations of the league's personal conduct policy has been minimal. . . . It is not likely that the league is going to disagree with itself when appeals are heard. It is clear from our ongoing team meetings that players see league discipline as becoming more and more excessive, and that the best way to address the problem is to insist that the next [labor agreement] require neutral arbitration for league discipline as well."

No Contact With Rice

A State Department spokesman said Condoleezza Rice has not talked to the San Francisco 49ers or any other NFL team about taking a job as an executive after she leaves office as secretary of state. The topic came up during a news briefing after the league-owned NFL Network reported Sunday the 49ers were interested in speaking to Rice about such a position.

There had been speculation about Rice, who's known as an avid football fan, as a possible candidate for NFL commissioner in 2006 after Paul Tagliabue announced his retirement. . . .

The 49ers named Shaun Hill (University of Maryland) starting quarterback, replacing J.T. O'Sullivan.