I Was An NFL Player Until I Was Fired By Two Cowards And A Bigot by Chris Kluwe

[Dback Jon]

Hello. My name is Chris Kluwe, and for eight years I was the punter for the Minnesota Vikings. In May 2013, the Vikings released me from the team. At the time, quite a few people asked me if I thought it was because of my recent activism for same-sex marriage rights, and I was very careful in how I answered the question. My answer, verbatim, was always, "I honestly don't know, because I'm not in those meetings with the coaches and administrative people."

This is a true answer. I honestly don't know if my activism was the reason I got fired.

However, I'm pretty confident it was.

Allow myself to tell you a story about ... myself. The following is a record of what happened to me during my 2012 season with the Minnesota Vikings, written down immediately after the 2013 draft in April, when I realized what was happening, and revised recently only for clarity. I tried to keep things as objective as possible, and anything you see in quotes are words that I directly recall being said to me.
<snip>
Much more: http://deadspin.com/i-was-an-nfl-player-until-i-was-fired-by-two-cowards-an-1493208214

 

[desertdawg]

Unfortunately the NFL means "Not For Long" in a couple different ways. The attention gotten by players on the "front line" is usually no good for the employment, I'd imagine a lot of players following this story(s) and feel like the time has not yet come. Not For Long, that's how long you will last in this League once you take that stance, or have photos leaked, or get in a plane with John Travolta... Sucks but that's the way it is, the activism is better left post career if you want to have a professional football career at all. Sounds like the Vikings were cool with it at first, but than it became a disruption between the coaching staff and the patch and all. Maybe someday, but not anytime soon.

 

[HeavyB3]

Man, if Mike Priefer really advocated for killing all gays, even tongue in cheek, that's pretty terrible. I wouldn't want that guy coaching for my team.

 

[Chopper0080]

That was an awesome read. I read it on twitter and it was so much fun.

 

[CtCardinals78]

You should read his book. It's awesome.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

Man, if Mike Priefer really advocated for killing all gays, even tongue in cheek, that's pretty terrible. I wouldn't want that guy coaching for my team.

I wouldn't want to be a gay NFL player, firmly locked in the closet to keep my job, sitting and having to listen to it.

 

[Dan H]

Replaced by a guy with nigh-identical stats making a quarter of the pay.

 

[vince56]

Burned a 5th round pick for a punter too. How odd.

 

[Syracusecards]

For Spielman and Frazier, I think it was more a matter of him creating more work for people that already don't have enough time to get their current work done. A punter isn't worth all of the inquiries he created no matter what the cause or issue was. The ST coach should be canned and fined if he really said the things he claims.

 

[Azlen]

The special teams coach has denied all the claims and the players are supporting him as well.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...h-mike-priefer-denies-chris-kluwe-allegations

 

[D-Dogg]

Of course players are supporting him.

Duh.

 

[ajcardfan]

Someone who is gay, a good player, and a few years left on his deal just needs to come out and get this nonsense over with. It's 2014, for chrissakes. A player fitting my criteria is in the NFL right now, I don't doubt it at all. And, if they do step up, they will be supported more than vilified.

 

[desertdawg]

Someone who is gay, a good player, and a few years left on his deal just needs to come out and get this nonsense over with. It's 2014, for chrissakes. A player fitting my criteria is in the NFL right now, I don't doubt it at all. And, if they do step up, they will be supported more than vilified.

Yup, it will have to be pro bowlers too. But those types of players also have many more millions to lose if they get outed. But I think the ball is in motion.

 

[TimTheToolmanTebow]

Why are gay people so sensitive about this stuff? A professional football player shouldn't be trying to play political commentator using social media.

 

[juza76]

I think football players are paid to play football and not to discuss and being focused in political factors,other people shoud discuss this themes.
Cause if all people who has just a bit of celebrety express all the time their own thoughts i think is a mess,
Also rich people who are sensitive to socials problems should act directely ,helping and partecipate in social activities and not just talking to get pubblicity.
Everything is so fake..many are just drived to do that

 

[BACH]

Kluwe stirs the pot

I Was An NFL Player Until I Was Fired By Two Cowards And A Bigot

Link: http://deadspin.com/i-was-an-nfl-pl...ource=deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

 

[oaken1]

pretty far stretch trying to use a kicker to make this a post about football.

 

[BigRedRage]

Sure it sucks if the coach has the attitude to say the things allegated but boohoo Kluwe, play the victim card all you want but they replaced you with a cheaper player who is just as good, that is how football works. Its not all about you.

Beyond that, your job was to play football. If I run around my job being the gay activist, making comments about the pope and catholics along with other stuff I may piss off superiors too. They pay me to sit down and do my job, not run around creating attention and expressing my political, religious or whatever else beliefs.

What if Kluwe was anti gay? and the coaches love gays and they cut him for being anti gay? Then people would be running around with his head on a stick.

Typical for this guy to pull the victim card. Not only did you lose your job to a younger guy but you likely have trouble with future jobs since you are willing to throw an entire organization under the bus just because you lost your job. You sound like a scorned mistress.

Replaced by a guy with nigh-identical stats making a quarter of the pay.

Yup.

Why are gay people so sensitive about this stuff? A professional football player shouldn't be trying to play political commentator using social media.

Yup.

Now he can go into politics and say all the political stuff he wants. Football is not politics.

 

[BigRedRage]

and even with all of that, if the coach is as described he deserves what is coming to him. Didnt get to throw that in there.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I always take stories from 1 side only with a grain of salt. Especially when the person feels they were wronged.

 

[schutd]

Ive seen to much absurdity and hate in people to not believe this story. I dont care if the guy ever punts again. But I have very little doubt that his story is true. People are terrible.

 

[Hollywood]

I always take stories from 1 side only with a grain of salt. Especially when the person feels they were wronged.

Well this one shouldnt be to hard for the league to figure out. He said slurs were said in a group meeting. All they have to do is privately ask the others in the meeting.

 

[az240zz]

Sure it sucks if the coach has the attitude to say the things allegated but boohoo Kluwe, play the victim card all you want but they replaced you with a cheaper player who is just as good, that is how football works. Its not all about you.

Beyond that, your job was to play football. If I run around my job being the gay activist, making comments about the pope and catholics along with other stuff I may piss off superiors too. They pay me to sit down and do my job, not run around creating attention and expressing my political, religious or whatever else beliefs.

What if Kluwe was anti gay? and the coaches love gays and they cut him for being anti gay? Then people would be running around with his head on a stick.

Typical for this guy to pull the victim card. Not only did you lose your job to a younger guy but you likely have trouble with future jobs since you are willing to throw an entire organization under the bus just because you lost your job. You sound like a scorned mistress.




Yup.



Yup.

Now he can go into politics and say all the political stuff he wants. Football is not politics.

If you believe his account he did his job on Sunday's. I don't think an employer has the right to dictate what your political or religious views should be.
I also believe its possible he was replaced because they found someone who was capable but cheaper. Most business work this way.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

P&R

There is a place on this board for this type of topic.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

This is a P&R topic, IMO.

It should be posted in the area made for such topics. I would personally like to see this thread moved.

I am all for gay rights, and have nothing against Kluwe, but this has NOTHING to do with Cardinal football.