Former Minnesota Vikings player Chris Kluwe discusses his allegations of homophobia in the Vikings organization which may have led to Kluwe’s release from the team.
Kluwe: “I made sure that I had witnesses because that’s a very easy defamation of character case and it would be pretty easy for him to prevail in a court of law…I am 100% confident in everything I related is how it happened and really encouraged by the fact that the Vikings are taking it seriously and opening an investigation because I think once they talk with people they’ll find out what happened.”
Anderson noted that the investigation does not have subpoena power so it’s up to players to cooperate and asks Kluwe if he thinks players will come forward.
Kluwe responded: “I’m confident because it’s the right thing to do. One thing that I’m going to push for is there must be anonymity for these witnesses because being black-balled in the NFL is a very real possibility and this is not something I’m going to force my friends to submit to…”
I love that Chris makes a statement by wearing a hat from the Principle 6 Campaign.
Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter states that any form of discrimination is incompatible with the Olympics, and the IOC has confirmed that this includes sexual orientation.
Former punter for the Minnesota Vikings Chris Kluwe says he’s more than happy to take part in the investigation to be conducted by the former chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court regarding homophobia behind the scenes at the Minnesota Vikings:
“I’m glad they’re taking it seriously. This is something I wrote down, because it’s what happened to me, and I’m 100 percent confident in what I wrote, and there are witnesses that will back me up. Let the investigation begin.”
I only know Chris Kluwe from his writing over the past couple of years and his very public voice. Based on nothing than my own gut, I’m inclined to believe his allegations.
We shall see what does – and does not – come to light.
Remember, the investigators are hired by the Vikings. So anything they find has to be given the green light by management before it can be released to the public.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that the Minnesota Vikings have hired two high level lawyers to investigate the allegations that have surfaced in Chris Kluwe’s essay on his firing from the team:
The Vikings have called in former Chief Justice of Minnesota Supreme Court Eric Magnuson and former U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Chris Madel to lead the investigation into former punter Chris Kluwe’s allegations released on Thursday.
“It is extremely important for the Vikings organization to react immediately and comprehensively with an independent review of these allegations,” said Vikings Owner Mark Wilf in a press release.
Madel led the high-profile investigation of the Fiesta Bowl committee in Phoenix, Ariz. and has been named Minnesota Lawyer’s “Attorney of the Year” for the last three years.
I’m not sure how “fair” this will be since one side has hired the two lawyers. I’m assuming info will be shared with the Vikings management first due to “attorney/client” privilege.
So, there’s no telling how revealing this investigation may be. Honorable and distinguished as they may be, it would seem the lawyers will only be able to release findings per the permission of their clients.
The statement below comes from 2 year Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh.
It should be noted that Walsh watched Kluwe get fired for speaking out. Two brain cells could come up with the fact that to say anything other than the statement above could get you fired.
Just saying…
“I have been a member of the Minnesota Vikings for 2 years. I want to start off by saying I have the utmost respect for Rick Spielman, Leslie Frazier and Mike Priefer. All three, are good men. I have had countless conversations and interactions with Coach Priefer, and I personally can attest to his integrity and character. His professionalism in the workplace is exemplary, and I firmly believe that my teammates would whole-heartedly agree.
“The allegations made today are reprehensible and totally not compatible with what Mike Priefer stands for.
[snip]
“In my time here at Minnesota, Rick Spielman and Leslie Frazier have exemplified true leadership. Contrary to Chris’ statements, they have promoted a workplace environment that was conducive for success. At no time did I ever feel suppressed or that I could not be myself.I firmly stand behind Rick Spielman, Leslie Frazier, and Mike Priefer.”
Former NFL star Brendon Ayanbadejo tells TMZ Sports ex-Minnesota Vikings kicker Chris Kluwe is “100% right” about claims he was cut from the team because of his pro-gay rights crusade — and he’s got the stats to back it up.
I guess, at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself: “Is it possible a straight, conservative football coach might have used anti-gay language or phrases in the locker room?”
Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer is denying former punter Chris Kluwe’s claims that the two of them butted heads over Kluwe’s advocacy of gay marriage, and that Priefer used homophobic language around Kluwe.
I vehemently deny today’s allegations made by Chris Kluwe.
I want to be clear that I do not tolerate discrimination of any type and am respectful of all individuals. I personally have gay family members who I love and support just as I do any family member.
The primary reason I entered coaching was to affect people in a positive way. As a coach, I have always created an accepting environment for my players, including Chris, and have looked to support them both on and off the field.
The comments today have not only attacked my character and insulted my professionalism, but they have also impacted my family. While my career focus is to be a great professional football coach, my number one priority has always been to be a protective husband and father to my wife and children.
I will continue to work hard for the Minnesota Vikings, the Wilf family and all of our loyal fans.
I’m not sure why, but the line about “my number one priority has always been to be a protective husband and father to my wife and children” jumps out at me as off topic. How does that relate to these allegations? OR, what is he protecting his family from? The gays? It just seems odd that the line is there.
Kluwe, who gained widespread attention during the 2012 season for his advocacy of gay marriage and his outspoken opposition to anti-gay bigotry, wrote yesterday that he was subjected to homophobic language from Priefer. Kluwe, who called Priefer a “bigot,” believes that he was cut because the team sided with Priefer over him on the matter.
Citing many examples of homophobic statements on behalf of Priefer, Kluwe describes one particularly virulent episode: “As [my teammates and I] sat down in our chairs, Mike Priefer, in one of the meanest voices I can ever recall hearing, said: ‘We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows.’ The room grew intensely quiet, and none of the players said a word for the rest of the meeting.”
I have several friends who are football players. My understanding is that it’s not uncommon among players and coaches for homophobic slang to come up even in just casual use as part of the locker room culture. Priefer might want to be very aware of what and how he says things in the next few days about the allegations. All it would take to damage him further would be for a former Viking player (who has nothing to gain or lose) to come forward saying he used any form of anti-gay language. Just one example of using “fa**ot” or “p*ssy” in a Vikings setting would wreck havok on his future coaching career.
I’d also point out – everyone has a smart phone today. And a lot of people record meetings using the recording app on their phones for future reference. Priefer might want to think if there are any recordings out there with ANY ant-gay animus coming from him.
Two current kickers for the Vikings – Jeff Locke and Blair Walsh – have come out in support of Priefer. But that needs to be taken with a grain of salt. They saw Kluwe fired. There’s no way they will risk their livelihood over this.
The Vikings (who still employ Priefer even though they fired his boss, head coach Leslie Frazier, this week) have vowed to investigate Kluwe’s accusations.
According to reports Priefer is under consideration to become head coach. If that’s true, he would have good reason to defend himself at this time.
I think it would be of great concern to the Vikings management to get to the bottom of such allegations. As an NFL team, the Vikings stand as role models to the people of Minnesota and beyond. The idea that a head coach – who sets the tone for the entire organization – could possibly be spouting such hateful comments about LGBT citizens is very disconcerting.
Earlier today I reported on an essay by former Vikings punter (and LGBT ally) Chris Kluwe, who wrote a devastating account of his views on why he was released from the team last year.
The essay – “I Was An NFL Player Until I Was Fired By Two Cowards And A Bigot” – chronicled Chris’ feelings that his public stance for LGBT rights led to his release from the team.
Via press release:
The Minnesota Vikings were made aware of Chris Kluwe’s allegations for the first time today. We take them very seriously and will thoroughly review this matter.
As an organization, the Vikings consistently strive to create a supportive, respectful and accepting environment for all of our players, coaches and front office personnel. We do not tolerate discrimination at any level. The team has long respected our players’ and associates’ individual rights, and, as Chris specifically stated, Vikings ownership supports and promotes tolerance, including on the subject of marriage equality.
Because he was identified with the Vikings, Chris was asked to be respectful while expressing his opinions. Team ownership and management also repeatedly emphasized to Chris that the Vikings would not impinge on his right to express his views.
Any notion that Chris was released from our football team due to his stance on marriage equality is entirely inaccurate and inconsistent with team policy.
Chris was released strictly based on his football performance. We will have further comment at the appropriate time.
At the end of the day, what else could the team say on the subject?
NFL punter (formerly of the Minnesota Vikings) and LGBT ally Chris Kluwe has written a detailed and compelling history of his commitment to LGBT equality AND how that intersected his football career leading to his ultimate release from the Vikings.
He begins like this:
Hello. My name is Chris Kluwe, and for eight years I was the punter for the Minnesota Vikings. In May 2013, the Vikings released me from the team. At the time, quite a few people asked me if I thought it was because of my recent activism for same-sex marriage rights, and I was very careful in how I answered the question. My answer, verbatim, was always, “I honestly don’t know, because I’m not in those meetings with the coaches and administrative people.”
This is a true answer. I honestly don’t know if my activism was the reason I got fired.
However, I’m pretty confident it was.
As he writes of the events that he says led to his firing, Kluwe describes an incident where he alleges special teams coach Mike Priefer used violent language in a team meeting:
“As [my teammates and I] sat down in our chairs, Mike Priefer, in one of the meanest voices I can ever recall hearing, said: ‘We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows.’ The room grew intensely quiet, and none of the players said a word for the rest of the meeting.”
I highly recommend you read the entire essay as Kluwe courageously shares what he says was the unraveling of his last season with the Vikings. The title says it all.
Chris closes with this:
Never be afraid to do what’s right. If no one ever says anything, nothing ever changes. —Chris Kluwe, former NFL player
The ever-erudite Chris Kluwe, on Take Part Live, discusses his appreciation for artful swearing and being called “the most interesting man in the NFL.”
