MINNEAPOLIS -- Former Minnesota punter Chris Kluwe says his special teams
co-ordinator made anti-gay comments while Kluwe was with the Vikings, an
allegation the coach "vehemently denies.
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posted Thursday on the website Deadspin, Kluwe wrote that coach Mike Priefer
made several anti-gay comments in objection to Kluwes outspoken opposition of an
anti-gay marriage amendment in Minnesota. Kluwe also says former Vikings coach
Leslie Frazier and current general manager Rick Spielman encouraged him to tone
down his rhetoric in an effort to reduce distractions to the team. At the same
time, Kluwe said, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf expressed support for Kluwes
championing of gay rights. Hours later, Priefer issued a statement disputing
Kluwes portrayal of the events. "I want to be clear that I do not tolerate
discrimination of any type and am respectful of all individuals," Priefer said.
"I personally have gay family members who I love and support just as I do any
family member." The Vikings said in a statement that they take the allegations
"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," the
team said. "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." Kluwe called
Priefer "a bigot" and Spielman and Frazier "two cowards" for releasing him in
May after eight seasons with the Vikings. He was due to make $1.45 million,
which was more than the cap-strapped Vikings wanted to spend on a punter. So
they drafted Jeff Locke in the fifth round and parted ways with Kluwe, bringing
to an end his colorful and outspoken stay in Minnesota. "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," the Vikings said
Thursday. "Chris was released strictly based on his football performance." In
his article, Kluwe alleged that Priefer grew more and more impatient with the
various causes Kluwe supported and several times made anti-gay remarks during
team meetings. Kluwe said wanted to post his article now in hopes of
discouraging the Vikings, or any other team, from employing Priefer, who is
widely respected at Vikings headquarters and is viewed by some as a potential
head coach one day. Priefer was hired by the Vikings in 2011. He served
previously as the special teams coach in Denver and Kansas City. "If theres one
thing I hope to achieve from sharing this story," Kluwe wrote, "its to make sure
that Mike Priefer never holds a coaching position again in the NFL, and ideally
never coaches at any level." The Vikings did not respond directly to allegations
against Priefer in their statement, but did say they "will have further comment
at the appropriate time." "The primary reason I entered coaching was to affect
people in a positive way, Priefer said. "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." Kluwe averaged 44.4 yards per punt over his
career in Minnesota, including a career-high 39.7 yard net average in 2012. But
he ranked just 17th in the NFL in punting that season before he was cut and he
lost a competition for the punting job with the Oakland Raiders in the preseason
in 2013. He had several tryouts during the season, but was never signed. Kluwe
said he wanted to wait to air his grievances until after the season so as not to
provide a distraction to his friends on the team during the season. The Vikings
finished this year 5-10-1 and Frazier was fired Monday. Several Vikings players
took to Twitter to defend Priefer. "Coach Mike Preifer has always been
professional and one of the best special teams coaches I have been around!"
fullback Jerome Felton tweeted. "In any meeting I have been in, I have never
witnessed him say anything close to whats been alleged. Thats just my
experience!" Tweeted safety Harrison Smith: "Since Ive had the privilege of
playing for Mike Preifer he has been nothing but a class act coach and a
respectful human being."
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43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like
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. Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked
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