Could Chris Kluwe’s allegations about the Vikings cost the team potential draft picks?
The Minnesota Vikings will retain two local attorneys to conduct an independent review of the allegations former punter Chris Kluwe made against the team Thursday.
In a piece Kluwe wrote for Deadspin, he accused special-teams coordinator Mike Priefer of making homophobic remarks at several points during the 2012 season and said general manager Rick Spielman and former coach Leslie Frazier both asked him to keep quiet about his views on social issues, most notably his support for same-sex marriage.
Priefer responded with a strongly worded statement, saying:
“I vehemently deny today’s allegations made by Chris Kluwe,” and the Vikings reiterated in a statement that Kluwe was released after the 2012 season strictly because of his football performance, not because of his views.
Now the Vikings will turn to former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson and former U.S. Department of Justice trial attorney Chris Madel to review the case.
“It is extremely important for the Vikings organization to react immediately and comprehensively with an independent review of these allegations,” Vikings president Mark Wilf said in a statement.
If it does come back true that these things were said, it could be a huge blow to the Vikings organization that could cost them a draft pick and more penalties from the NFL. The Dolphins are under a similar penalty right now, for bullying but this is getting crazy. All allegations must be investigated, and I agree to that. If Chris was in fact released because he supported same sex marriage, it will be hard to prove. The Vikings staff and players are going to have to support Kluwe. If they do the team could be in for a larger problem, because Kluwe would have a nice law suit for Equal Opportunity Employment.
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