Chris Kluwe reaches settlement deal with Minnesota Vikings avoiding lawsuit

Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe

Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe said Tuesday he reached a settlement with the team to avert a threatened lawsuit over his release, saying the club had agreed to donate to several groups that support gay rights.

LGBT ally Chris Kluwe & Vikings reach a settlement regarding alleged discrimination

Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe

LGBT ally Chris Kluwe and his former employer, the Minnesota Vikings, have reportedly come to a settlement. The former Minnesota Viking punter had threatened to sue the Vikings over his claims of discrimination.

Kluwe alleged he was fired for his public support of the LGBT community and same-sex marriage.

The Associated Press reports "Kluwe vowed to sue because he was unhappy with the team's resolution of his complaint against special teams coordinator Mike Priefer for alleged anti-gay slurs."

Lawyers for the Vikings and Kluwe's legal team apparently agreed to try to come to an agreement one last time. On Friday, Kluwe and his attorneys said that an agreement was reached.

The details of the agreement will be released next week, according to Kluwe's attorney Clayton Halunen.

Chris Kluwe not happy over coach's "wrist slap" over homophobic comments

Late Friday evening, the Minnesota Vikings released a summary of their months long investigation into allegations of homophobic comments made by special teams coach Mike Priefer.

Kluwe was somewhat vindicated as the report showed another team mate acknowledged hearing Priefer making one of the homophobic comments.  A comment Priefer vehemently denied a few months ago.

Priefer was suspended for 3 games and ordered to make a donation to LGBT organizations.

Kluwe spoke a reporter at KMSP about the results of the investigation and what steps he intends to take next:

"Players who get caught smoking weed or DUI get 4 games, and you're telling me the guy who made a comment like 'let's round up all the gays put them on an island nuke it till it glows' -- he's only going to get a slap on the wrist? ... I think he's probably sorry that all of this ever happened. I don't think he's truly sorry because in the report he kind of backs his way and says yeah, I kind of said it...The NFL is a league where you can get redemption for killing someone, for beating your wife in an elevator, for driving drunk, for a whole variety of things but when you speak out for civil rights, that's the one thing you cannot get redeemed for."

Kluwe has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the Vikings, and his legal team is still requesting a copy of the full 150-page investigation.

KMSP-TV

Minnesota Vikings coach Priefer to be suspended for confirmed homophobic remarks

Minnesota Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer

In a statement released late Friday evening (good way to bury the story), the Minnesota Vikings announced special teams coach Mike Priefer will be suspended for three games in the coming season for confirmed homophobic remarks.

The comments were brought to light by former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, who said his activism on behalf of LGBT rights made his superiors at the Vikings unhappy, leading to his release.  Kluwe waited until  the end of the football season to share his thoughts on the homophobia he felt he saw and heard while a member of the Vikings team.

Kluwe's accusations were responsible for a months long investigation into whether a hostile or homophobic environment existed in the Vikings training sessions.

In a January essay for Deadspin, Kluwe contended that his 2013 release from the team was the result of his outspoken support for same-sex marriage.

He also said that former head coach Leslie Frazier pressured him to stop his public activism and that Priefer engaged in anti-gay taunts. Priefer repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations, but the team's investigation concluded that the coach made a "single homophobic statement to Kluwe."

Vikings long snapper Cullen Loeffler confirmed Kluwe's account that Priefer once said, "We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows." Priefer owned up to the remark after Loeffler's confirmation, according to a summary of the report that was released by the team.

Priefer's penalty could be reduced to two suspended games should he choose to attend sensitivity training. In addition, the team also announced there will be a $100,000 donation to LGBT rights charities.

It should be underlined that when Preifer's comments first came to light this past spring, he adamantly denied making them:

"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."

Now, confronted with Loeffler's confirmation, Priefer said, "If [Loeffler] remembers me saying something on the practice field, I am not going to disagree with it." 

How light-weight and dodgy is that?

Kluwe maintains that the Vikings promised to release the full investigation and not merely the summary provided.  Through Twitter he's made clear he intends to file a lawsuit against the team for $10 million, which all proceeds going to charity.

Never let it be said that I didn't try. Apparently the Vikings want to do this the hard way.
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) July 18, 2014

You can read the 29-page report of the investigation below:

Kluwe Investigation

Vikings investigation on Chris Kluwe's allegations could mean vindication for Kluwe

The Viking Age reports that the Vikings vs Chris Kluwe investigation could come to a close soon, and it looks like there could be vindication for LGBT ally Kluwe.

Kluwe had raised allegations that he was released from his position as punter for the Vikings because of his marriage equality activism.

Journalist Mike Freeman recently tweeted, "I'm hearing Chris Kluwe report could be released very soon and report is favorable to Kluwe."

From the Viking Age:

“Favorable to Kluwe” is vague enough that it could mean a lot of things, but we have to assume that any report generally favorable to Kluwe is going to be generally not-favorable to [Vikings special coordinator, Mike] Priefer. And since Priefer stands to lose more than anyone else if Kluwe’s allegations are found to have merit…well, let’s just say if there’s anyone out there who has reason to be tense, it’s Priefer.

NFL's Chris Kluwe on Vikings investigation: I haven't ruled out a lawsuit

Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe made an appearance on the David Pakman talk show regarding his allegations that his speaking out on behalf of LGBT rights played a part in him being released from the Vikings.

During the interview, Kluwe stated that a lawsuit might be in the cards if the Vikings announced investigation yields no evidence of what he says he experienced in his last season with the team:

"I haven't ruled out a lawsuit," Kluwe said Wednesday on the David Pakman Show. "I would really prefer not to have to do a lawsuit, because I loved my time on the Vikings, and I still have a lot of friends on the team and I love the organization. But if that's what it takes — if that means getting people on the stand with the threat of perjury, then something that will have to happen, because I made very serious claims, and they need to be backed up."

You can watch the discussion below:

(source)

Chris Kluwe talks to Anderson Cooper about Vikings homophobia

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.

Chris Kluwe on the newly launched investigation regarding homophobia on the Minnesota Vikings staff

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.

Attorney/client privilege don't you know...

Former Chief Justice of Minnesota Supreme Court to investigate allegations of Vikings' homophobia

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.

Stay tuned.

All of Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Priefer's gay friends show up at press conference

Via Memeographs

(h/t Scott Wooledge)

Minnesota Vikings Blair Walsh: I stand with management regarding Kluwe's accusations

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."

NFL player Brendon Ayanbadejo believes Chris Kluwe's allegations of homophobia in the Vikings organization

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?"

Is that possible?

I think we know the answer to that question.

Vikings coach Mike Priefer disputes Chris Kluwe's allegations of bigotry and homophobia

Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer

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.

(Source)

Minnesota Vikings respond to Chris Kluwe's allegations of bigotry

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?

"Yep - we have bigots in charge over here?"

NFL's Chris Kluwe: "I Was An NFL Player Until I Was Fired By Two Cowards And A Bigot"

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

Read Chris Kluwe's essay on Deadspin.

Minnesota: Is the Vikings Chris Kluwe on the "cut" list?

On Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings drafted UCLA punter Jeff Locke in the fifth round.  Some see this as writing on the wall that the Vikings current kicker (and LGBT ally), Chris Kluwe, may be on his way out, and that the reason for his exit will be "distractions" related to activism for LGBT civil rights, NBC Sports' Mike Florio reports:

Of course, the distractions weren’t a problem when Kluwe was staying up very late playing Guitar Hero and Worlds of Warcraft, or staying out very late on Friday night doing shows with his band.  After Kluwe opted to get behind a controversial social cause while also getting to bed at a decent hour, the team opted to acquire a player who, given that he was selected in round five, will likely have the field tilted in his favor when it comes to determining whether he or Kluwe gets the Water Pik.

Kluwe told Florio: “It’s a shame that in a league with players given multiple second chances after arrests, including felony arrests, that speaking out on human rights has a chance of getting you cut,” Kluwe told PFT via text message.

(via Towleroad)

Chris Kluwe: Out Of Bounds blog #11 "Stand Up"

Excerpt from Minnesota Vikings' Chris Kluwe's blog post "Stand Up":

Every time you propagate the message that being gay is to be less than human, that same sex marriage cannot be as filled with love and laughter and tears as heterosexual marriage, that gays don’t deserve to pass a legacy on to their family, you quicken that howling storm and sweep away a tiny bit more humanity from the world, drive one more child to contemplating the cold razor’s bite, or the yawning abyss of the overdose because they simply cannot deal with the unceasing assault upon their psyche.

Well I, for one, will not stand for it. I will not stand for a world that demeans those it finds ‘different’ or ‘gross’. I will not stand for an ideology that promotes slavish adherence to a single arbitrary standard, that sacrifices children on the altar of oppression and control. I will not stand for one more RED TINGED MUSHROOM CLOUD second of people thinking that they have the right to live someone else’s life for them, for the complete lack of empathy so often shown in our society.

I stand for gay marriage. I stand for the end of segregation. I stand for a woman’s right to vote. I stand for equality under the law, for treating others how I want to be treated, for the fundamental human right to live a happy life free of tyranny.

I stand for my children.

Read the entire ANGRY PUMA GROWL from Kluwe by clicking here.

Kluwe Rocks!

Minnesota Vikings Chris Kluwe supports marriage equality

Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe is supporting marriage equaltiy in Minnesota.

He's recorded a radio ad combatting a proposed state constitutional amendment that would further cement Minnesota's existing ban on same-sex marriage.

The NFL player calls Minnesota's existing ban on marriage equality “anti-American” and “anti-freedom.”

According to Care2MakeADifference, "Kluwe’s comments were made as part of a video he recorded for Minnesotans for Equality. The group is working to defeat the amendment that will go before voters at the November ballot."

Kluwe says, “Excluding gay couples from marriage is a  meaningless and reckless restriction of individual freedom and basic human  rights. This amendment is an extreme change to our constitution, making it  impossible to change for decades to come.”

Kluwe, who is married with two young daughters, continues: “To deny an  entire group of people the ability to be legal couples is anti-American and  anti-freedom. As a devoted husband and father of two, I can’t imagine the state  of Minnesota not recognizing my love for my wife Isabel. We would welcome and  respect the equal rights for gays to experience the same joy and privileges of marriage that we do. Please don’t limit the freedom to  marry for anyone. So this November, vote no to the marriage discrimination  amendment. It’s the right thing to do.”