Kansas City, Mo. ? Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, who turned himself in this week to face an assault charge, said Wednesday he was not “a woman-beater.”

“This is something I don’t want to be named for as a woman-beater because that is not my M.O. That is not how I was raised,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who scored two touchdowns against the New York Jets on Sunday, turned himself in Monday to face an assault charge in connection with an altercation with his girlfriend.

He issued a brief statement after practice Wednesday, but declined to take questions.

Police Department spokesman Darin Snapp said Johnson was cited for domestic-abuse assault after the incident in a Kansas City bar. The woman claimed only that she was bruised. He posted bond and was released, with a court date set for Sept. 20.

“Basically, I will say this. It is an unfortunate event that happened to me Friday night,” Johnson said.

“But let’s get the fact clear right now. This police report was not signed by this young lady, and I take my hat off to this young lady to come in and obviously make a report saying something did happen to her. And I also praise her for coming back and saying there’s a mistake in that report.

“But a lot of times you don’t get the good out of the bad. You more go for the bad.”

A team spokesman said Johnson was upset that one media outlet broadcast the woman’s name as well as his address and social security number.

“And I feel sorry for her because her information was published on TV and her privacy, which she tried to protect as best she could, is now out there, and I feel sorry for her and her family,” Johnson said. “And I wish them the best.”

Snapp said Johnson became irate after his girlfriend confronted another woman. The running back grabbed his girlfriend by the shoulders and shoved her to the floor, the police report said. It was reported Tuesday that the girlfriend denied that she was pushed or dragged to the door.

“But I should have known better as me being a target,” Johnson said. “I’m pretty sure, I’m confident that this will make light of itself and, hopefully, I know I won’t miss any games and nothing else will come of this. Just basically this should be the last time this will happen again.

“Basically, my reputation is more at stake here. But I can handle the media. I can handle people on the street. But as far as another situation, as far as a female goes, I really reach out to her and her family because that is something that she can’t live down. I can live this down because I’m a little bit stronger and a little bit more headstrong about the situation. And that’s all I’m going to say right now.”

Johnson was charged in December 2003 with aggravated assault, a felony, and misdemeanor domestic battery for allegedly brandishing a gun during an argument with an ex-girlfriend at his home. He entered a diversion program and was required to complete 120 hours of community service, attend an anger management course and stay out of trouble for two years.