Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has alleged in an editorial on Deadspin that he was released before the season as a result of being outspoken in support of same-sex marriage and was a victim of anti-gay remarks by Vikings special-teams coordinator Mike Priefer.
According to ESPN.com, Kluwe said he didn't approach the team, the NFL or the players' association about Priefer's comments at the time because doing so is "something that ends careers." Kluwe alleged that Priefer criticized the punter throughout the 2012 season for his support of same-sex marriage, allegedly saying in a November team meeting that "we should round up all the gays, send them to an island and nuke it until it glows."
Priefer has denied Kluwe's allegations. Now-former coach Leslie Frazierof whom Kluwe said he didn't feel he could approach about the situationhad no comment.
NFL superstar running back Adrian Peterson said in May 2013 that he was sorry marriage-equality advocate Chris Kluwe is no longer on his team ( the Minnesota Vikings ), even if he disagrees with Kluwe on the issue, according to Outsports.com . On Sirius/XM NFL Radio, Peterson said, "To each his own. I'm not with it. But I have relatives that are gay. I'm not biased towards them. I still treat them the same. I love 'em. But again, I'm not with that. That's not something I believe in."
The Minnesota Vikings announced it will retain two local attorneys to conduct an independent review of the allegations, ESPN.com reported.
Later, ex-NFL star Brendon Ayanbadejo told TMZ Sports that former Minnesota Vikings kicker Chris Kluwe is "100-percent right" about claims he was cut from the team because of his pro-gay rights crusadeand he's reportedly has the stats to confirm this. Ayanbadejo ( who shares Kluwe's pro-gay stance ) added that if Kluwe had championed a cause that was NFL-approved, like education or physical fitness, Kluwe would probably still be in the league.