Minnesota Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer has been suspended, former punter Chris Kluwe is planning to sue the team, and things could get ugly for all sides.
USA TODAY Sports is reporting that the Vikings suspended Priefer for three game for homophobic remarks he made during the 2012 season. The organization also pledged $100,000 to LGBT rights charitable and educational organizations as a result of an independent investigation into allegations of inappropriate contact that Kluwe made in a published article released on Deadspin.com earlier this year.
Priefer can have the suspension reduced to two games if he completes sensitivity training.
In the Deadspin article, Kluwe alleged that he was released in 2013 because of his outspoken support of same-sex marriage. He added that during a position group meeting, Priefer said, "We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows."
Minnesota Vikings kicker corroborates Chris Kluwe's claims against special teams coach Mike Priefer
The Vikings release a 29-page report on findings of a six-month investigation, which said long snapper Cullen Loeffler confirmed Priefer made that remark after becoming frustrated Kluwe and Loeffler weren't focusing on practice.
"Coach Priefer is a good man, and we know that he deeply regrets the comment. We do not believe that this error in judgment should define him," Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a joint statement. "Accountability, however, is important both on and off the field. In this instance, Coach Priefer fell short of what is expected."
Priefer, who vehemently denied saying the comment after the Deadspin report came out, had a much different statement Friday night.
"I owe an apology to many people - the Wilf family, the Minnesota Vikings organization and fans, my family, the LGBT community, Chris Kluwe and anyone else that I offended with my insensitive remark," Priefer said in a statement issued by the team.
"I regret what has occurred and what I said. I am extremely sorry but I will learn from this situation and will work on educating others to create more tolerance and respect."
The punishment apparently wasn't good enough for Kluwe, who USA TODAY Sports reported wanted a four-game suspension and a $1 million donation to LGBT causes.
His lawyer, Clayton Halunen said Kluwe plans to move forward with a lawsuit with any money gained going to charity.
But the Vikings also fired back at Kluwe, saying he dropped his pants during a tour of the Vikings facility by 20 to 25 business people took a tour of the locker room, and that he mocked the Penn State child sex scandal by making jokes about Jerry Sandusky to strength and conditioning coach Tom Kanavy, a Penn State alum.
Kluwe made the mistake of saying a number of Vikings made the same joke instead of just admitting what he said could've been misconstrued as inappropriate. He fired back, saying the Vikings were trying to intimidate Kluwe.
If Kluwe's lawsuit goes forth, count on both sides digging up more dirt on one another.
Do you think Mike Priefer should have been suspended for more than three games for his remarks about homosexuals? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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