Kansas City, Mo. ? An online petition started by Kansas City Chiefs fans is asking general manager Scott Pioli to deactivate running back Larry Johnson so he cannot break Priest Holmes’ team rushing record or join the team’s Ring of Honor at Arrowhead Stadium.

Holmes holds the Chiefs” rushing record with 6,070 yards; Johnson has 5,996 yards.

“While we are thankful for his service, we feel that Larry has been a black eye on the organization and has no business being mentioned” among the team’s all-time greats, the petition reads. Late Wednesday afternoon, more than 5,300 signatures had been collected.

“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,” the petition says. “He has never represented anything close to the values that we have for our Chiefs and it would be another dagger to the fans that continue to support this proud franchise.

“We are asking this as a favor to those of us who have supported this team long, long, long before you were brought in. We will support you through thick and thin — you will find out that we are a loyal, loyal bunch. However, allowing Larry Johnson to attain a record is something that can never be erased.”

NFL

Cable talks with Davis

Alameda, Calif. — Coach Tom Cable said Wednesday that he has spoken with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis about allegations that Cable has a history of violent behavior toward women.

“What we talked about is between us, and we’ll keep it that way,” he said.

Cable said the conversation came within the past two days and that his job status was not discussed. Cable said he plans to coach the team for the remainder of the season.

The Raiders are undergoing a “serious evaluation” of allegations made to ESPN by Cable’s first wife, Sandy Cable, and former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, that the coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships.

BASEBALL

L.A.’s Padilla shot in leg

Managua, Nicaragua — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla is recovering from a bullet wound in his leg after a target shooting instructor accidentally shot him.

Dr. Eduardo Reguera said Padilla, who signed with the Dodgers in August, didn’t need surgery after spending time at Managua’s Metropolitan Hospital.

Police spokesman Vilma Reyes said Wednesday that Padilla’s pistol apparently jammed during a target shooting session late Tuesday.

Padilla handed the pistol to a shooting instructor, a former police captain, who didn’t realize there was a bullet in the chamber and shot himself in his hand, Padilla’s legal adviser Roberto Calderon told The Associated Press. The bullet also grazed Padilla’s leg.

The account contradicts Padilla’s agent, Adam Katz, who told The Los Angeles Times that it was a “hunting accident.”

Cubs’ Lilly has surgery

Chicago — Chicago Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly has had surgery on his left shoulder. The Cubs said the arthroscopy and debridement procedure performed Tuesday by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles revealed no major damage.

The Cubs said they will determine after the first of the year a timetable for Lilly to start a throwing program. Lilly was 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA in 27 starts last season.

NBA

Donaghy released from jail

Brooksville, Fla. — Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was a free man Wednesday after serving most of a 15-month sentence in a gambling scandal.

Pat Berdan, a consultant working with Donaghy, said he was released from Hernando County Jail in Florida. Donaghy had been jailed there since August after officials said he violated travel restrictions while living at a halfway house in the Tampa area.

A New York judge sentenced the ex-referee in July 2008 after Donaghy said he took thousands of dollars from a professional gambler in exchange for inside tips on games — including games he worked.

Lieberman to coach

Dallas — Nancy Lieberman is set to become the first female head coach of a NBA Development League team. A news conference is scheduled today to introduce Lieberman as the first coach of the team that will begin play during the 2010-11 season in Frisco, a suburb about a half-hour north of downtown Dallas.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Dallas bowl game lined up

Dallas — The replacement for the Cotton Bowl game has been lined up. Dallas city leaders say the Dallas Football Classic is planned for New Year’s Day 2011. The plan calls for using teams from the Big Ten to play teams from Conference USA and the Big 12 on a rotating basis.

The first game will pit the seventh-ranked team from the Big 12 against the sixth-ranked team from the Big Ten. Then on New Year’s Day 2012, it will be the Big Ten vs. Conference USA, with the order repeated in 2013 and 2014 under a plan revealed by bowl organizers this week.

The plan needs NCAA approval.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Duke guard suspended

Durham, N.C. — Duke guard Nolan Smith will sit out two games because he played in an unsanctioned summer league.

Smith said he was suspended because he played a game with overseas players and professionals over the summer near his hometown of Washington, D.C.

The junior will miss the opener against North Carolina-Greensboro on Nov. 13 and a game three nights later against Coastal Carolina. He didn’t play in the first half against Findlay so his teammates could adjust to playing without him.

AUTO RACING

IndyCar gains sponsor

Indianapolis — IndyCar officials are expected to announce Thursday that clothing maker Izod will become the series’ title sponsor next season.

A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed the move Wednesday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced. The league has scheduled a news conference for this afternoon.