If Chris Kluwe is going down, he's clearly intent on taking some people with him.
Kluwe, who was the Minnesota Vikings punter for eight years until being released before the 2013 season, wrote a first-person account of the details behind his release on Deadspin.com. In it, he accused the Vikings organization of firing him for speaking out in favor of gay marriage in 2012.
Kluwe also called Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer "a bigot" who had Kluwe fired. Kluwe said Priefer often used homophobic language in front of Kluwe after the punter threw his support behind the gay rights initiative.
Kluwe also called Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and former coach Leslie Frazier "two cowards" who didn't stand in the way of Priefer. He said he went public with the story now because the season is over and it won't be a distraction to the team, which has several players Kluwe calls friends. He also is trying to ensure that Priefer, who is a candidate to replace Frazier as Vikings head coach, doesn't get the job.
He then ended all hopes of landing another NFL job when he insinuated that the reason he wasn't picked up by another team this year was at least in part due to his outspoken support for gay marriage.
Because Deadspin.com did not ask the Vikings organization for a comment, the team released a statement saying that it was not aware of the allegations until the first-person account became public. It said it took the allegations seriously but denied releasing Kluwe because of his support of gay marriage.
We do not tolerate discrimination at any level," the team statement read as reported by USA TODAY Sports. "...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."
Priefer also released a statement defending his character.
"I want to be clear that I do not tolerate discrimination of any type and am respectful of all individuals," Priefer said in the statement. "I personally have gay family members who I love and support just as I do any family member.
"The comments today (by Kluwe) have not only attacked my character and insulted my professionalism, but they have also impacted my family."
Punter Jeff Locke, whom the Vikings drafter to replace Kluwe, also issued a statement:
"In my short time with the Vikings, Coach Priefer has treated me with respect and has helped me develop as a player and person," Locke posted to his verified Twitter account.
"I have never witnessed any actions or statements by Coach Priefer similar to those described in the recent Deadspin article."
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