And there you have the distinction. Yes, there are gay slurs, and racial slurs, all over the place. But that does not mean we should condone them as spoken by public figures (that kids look up to no less) IN PUBLIC.
Johnson is getting paid to run and also to be an ambassador.
I use the word fag myself occassionally (not proud of it but as noted by the poster, part of our society at present), but not in front of children. Everything Johnson says in public, is in front of children, and reinforces the next generations intolerance of others.
I have to agree with the NFL here. Public figures have to be more careful. They chose this life and they are paid also for that.