I hope everyone reads Chris Kluwe’s Deadspin essay. [Deadspin]
Ricky Martin & his man are over! [Dlisted]
Kim Zolciak debuts her twins in Life & Style. [Life & Style]
Jessica Simpson makes her wedding sound like a chore. [ICYDK]
Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber are riding Segways together. [A Socialite Life]
Clay Aiken is thinking about running for Congress. [Starcasm]
Kaley Cuoco looks completely normal without makeup. [Celebslam]
I don’t believe the Khloe Kardashian pregnancy rumors. [CDAN]
Jay-Z & Beyonce went on a seafood binge. [Moe Jackson]
There should be American Girl dolls with disabilities. [I’m Not Obsessed]
America couldn’t get enough p0rn in 2013. [The Frisky]
Kim Jong Un is full-on cray. [Bossip]
The Veronica Mars trailer! [Seriously OMG WTF]
Texas couple named their daughter “So’Unique Miracle”. [OMG Blog]
Chris Kluwe is the man. He needs to keep on speaking his mind. I wish there was a team out there that would give him a job. Stop paying lip service to LGBT and stand for something. Like he said, though, it probably won’t happen.
What Chris supported was admirable. However, the way Chris supported LBGT issues was a disservice to the message of acceptance. Here is an example of the type of open letters Chris wrote: http://deadspin.com/5941348/they-wont-magically-turn-you-into-a-lustful-cockmonster-chris-kluwe-explains-gay-marriage-to-the-politician-who-is-offended-by-an-nfl-player-supporting-it, The language/cursing/expletives will burn anyone’s ears. Notably, he ends the commentary with these words: ‘I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing” and shove it in your close-minded, totally lacking in empathy piehole and choke on it. A**hole’.
Further research suggests that, in the begging, although the Vikings allowed Chris to share his views, the Vikings were trying to get Chris to share his views in a more respectful manner. Unfortunately, Chris did not listed to their advice. In the end, the consensus was might as well replace him with a cheaper player who will follow their advice.
GMAB that was ONE letter to a politician who has made many hateful comments despite being a minister .Chris wrote dozens of letters,gave dozens of speeches and dozens if not hundreds of interviews after he wrote that open letter.That is not a true reflection of him IMO
The Vikings are hardly a respectful bunch. Your perception that the club is so dainty that they couldn’t possibly tolerate some foul language is laughable. The league is rife with homophobes. A player that’s even perceived as gay or less than manly in league terms is bound for hateful hazing. The situation makes it impossible for players who are actually gay to safely come out. Kluwe makes valid points and they needed to be made loudly.
The cursing in that letter to the MD politician just made it clear how *outraged* he was, which in itself reflects positively on him. He used blatant sarcasm as a tool to further express that. I don’t believe this hurts the cause at all. If anything, I admire him for caring enough about gay rights to actually be that affected & lose his cool. It happens.
I didn’t find it that bad. He seems very honest
No matter how just the sentiment, the fact is that an employee of any organization who sent that letter, and made that letter public via a third party website (Deadspin), and then continued to use social media to antagonize his employer and the league, all the while putting up so-so numbers, and cashing a huge paycheck, is putting themselves in a very stupid position.
Kluwe also openly trolled the NFL Commissioner during Roger Goodell’s Reddit AMA in September – tipping off Deadspin to the prank, which Deadspin – who was firmly in Kluwe’s pocket – was all too happy to publicize and applaud, down to the subtle insertion of Rick Astley lyrics couched in Kluwe’s surreptitious question. Remember that this was at a time when Kluwe was a free agent looking for work in Goodell’s league; but instead of taking the high road, Kluwe chose instead to behave like a fifteen-year-old-boy who thinks blowing a raspberry is the height of intellectual conversation. Deadspin was all too happy to champion his childish antics.
This stopped being about LGBT rights and marriage equality a long time ago. I read Deadspin all the time, and saw how the support of Deadspin’s readers quickly inspired Kluwe to turn into the NFL’s resident righteous court jester. When Kluwe was cut by the Vikings over the summer, he made a comment that if he didn’t find another job in the NFL, it would have been worth it for the cause, far more important an endeavor than kicking a football. And yet the day after the end of the season, he runs to Deadspin to again take up his cause, which had suddenly taken a 180-turn. Never mind his declining numbers, or that he was coming off knee surgery (not insignificant for any player, much less a kicker), or that the Vikings could find someone to do Kluwe’s job at least as well as him for a fraction of the salary, or that *all* thirty-one other NFL teams passed on Kluwe’s services when he became available or that Kluwe himself said that “if” his activism led to the end of his career, he was okay was it. Now the story is that “cowards and a bigot” ruined his career, period.
Kluwe became an online buffoon a long time ago, more interested in having fame and popularity among the Deadspin set than being taken seriously as a player or public policy advocate. Don’t fall for his victimization routine. I and many others watched in real time as this became less about an LGBT issue and more about Chris Kluwe, outrageous internet celebrity.
I like him, but his age and experience mean that he’d demand a base salary that he’s no longer worth. I doubt he’ll play in the NFL again.
Anyone that watches football knows that Kluwe doesn’t have a job because of his activism. And any internal interviews are going to turn up nothing because no one will talk. Of course the coach is denying it too because that’s what they do.
Notice how Adrian Peterson said he’s, “not down with gay marriage” but he’s pretty much remained unscathed. He was MVP last year, 9 yards short of the rushing record and the entirety of the Vikings offense. What are they going to do to him? But that punter…we can always get punters.
Wait, then why did the Raiders sign him almost immediately after the Vikings cut him? Oakland only cut him after a younger and better punter beat him out for the job (which Kluwe admitted to himself). Kluwe then got a bunch of tryouts with other NFL teams, which didn’t pan out for him. Why would he get the tryouts in the first place if no team wanted anything to do with him?
The new Vikings punter, Jeff Locke, put up comparable numbers to Kluwe and his salary is about 25 percent of what Kluwe’s was. THAT’S why Kluwe was cut – he was expensive and there were plenty of younger, cheaper punters available.
Yeah funny how that’s never brought up I’m not saying that he’s lying about the Vikings he could very well be telling the truth but he’s coming across more as disgruntled employee than gay rights activist. If this was such an issue with him to the point he couldn’t work there anymore he should’ve taken it up with the NFLPA
There’s a couple of things thay suggest that it was indeed personal:
1. Kluwe is indeed correct in that he was in fact the all-time best MN punter
2. The Vikings specifically drafted a punter to replace him – with a 5th round pick, which is totally absurd. They needed that pick to fill numerous other holes in their roster, and instead used it for a position that they had suitably filled.
3. It’s not like the NFL is a bastion of tolerance toward the LGBT community. Just look at how Aaron Rodgers just had to make a statement about how much he likes women because the rumors about his personal orientation were starting up again, righ before the start of a slowly selling playoff game.
There are probably a number of reasons Kluwe is done in the NFL (veteran’s minimum salary being one of them) and his outspoken activism is most definitely one of those reasons. For what it’s worth, he is an excellent punter and SHOULD have been signed.
Bridgett:
1. Cris Carter is Minnesota’s all-time best WR. Why did the Vikings ever let him go? Players’ skills diminish with age – Kluwe’s no exception.
2. Absurd according to whom? Chris Kluwe?
3. This doesn’t prove that Kluwe was cut for his activism at all. Veteran players get cut all the time in the NFL.
And he is NOT an excellent punter (and this is coming from lifelong Vikings fan). Even in his prime, he was a middle-of-the-pack punter who never made a Pro Bowl. The Raiders punter who beat Kluwe for the starting job this season was booming it a full 7 yards further than him.
Bottom line: expensive and past-your-prime is not a good combination for an NFL player. All the ax-grinding and bridge-burning in the world won’t change that reality.
All-time best on your team can be referred to as an excellent punter. And a WR and a punter are 2 very different positions – the Vikings have an awful lot of needs to fill, and they used a draft pick on a position they could have very easily picked someone up, most likely completely undrafted.
Lets get real. Kluwe is an anomaly: an outspoken advocate for gay rights in one of the absolute most homophobic professions inour country. A profession where the locker room, warrior culture is prized. It is absolutely within reason that Kluwe’s activism was a factor in his release.
I read that yesterday. The owner of the team needs to lay down the law and clean house, that sort of bigotry should not be allowed, especially in a workplace. Though pro sports are so driven by $, I doubt that would happen.
There might be other factors contributing to his release too, but maybe ending his football career will open a new door for him. I give him a lot of credit for standing up for equality in that environment.
I read it and have to say that I believe him 100 percent and also believe that this is why gay players will not come out while active in the NFL. The guy’s players are now coming to their coach defense but I think it’s a little too late for that. I really hate that this coach thinks of himself as a Christian while he spouts his bigotry and thinks he has the right to tell Chris that he will be roasting in hell a long side the gays. I doubt anything will come of it even though MN does allow gay marriage there are still lots of religious souls who believe that it is okay to be a bigot as long as they think the Bible or the Koran or whatever else they can come up will back them up.
It’s really an important piece to read. I do wish someone had edited it down a little bit because I think it’s a tad long – and since it tackles important issues, I’d hate for people to bail on it halfway through.
This portion pretty much says it all:
“Near the end of November, several teammates and I were walking into a specialist meeting with Coach Priefer. We were laughing over one of the recent articles I had written supporting same-sex marriage rights, and one of my teammates made a joking remark about me leading the Pride parade. As we sat down in our chairs, Mike Priefer, in one of the meanest voices I can ever recall hearing, said: “We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows.” The room grew intensely quiet, and none of the players said a word for the rest of the meeting. The atmosphere was decidedly tense. I had never had an interaction that hostile with any of my teammates on this issue—some didn’t agree with me, but our conversations were always civil and respectful. Afterward, several told me that what Mike Priefer had said was “messed up.”
Weren’t the Vikings the TEAM that hired yachts full of prostitutes for the players? I’d expect no better from management like that. Sickening.
To be fair that was under different ownership so I don’t get how the current regime should be blamed for something that happened nearly 10 years ago.
True, but I’d say that the mentality of the new owner is not trickling down to the locker room.
No some guys hired a boat, a party boat but not as big as a Yacht and they went out on Lake Minnetonka to party. Now this boat has a kitchen and of course most of the kitchen staff were high school kids and yes these guy did hire hookers from Atlanta to come up to Minnesota and party with them. But that was long ago and none of the players involved are with the Vikings. But every team has their players who drink, drug and hire hookers. Heck some even get wrapped up in murder plots. Some we hear about but most we don’t. That is the power of the NFL and money.
Kluwe is right. He was living his coaches philosophy of being a good man by doing the right thing. And lost his job because of it.
He WAS fired by two cowards and a bigot. I hope this stain sears them soul deep and they never, ever have to stop answering for their hatefulness. Kluwe has more courage in his little pinky nail than those 3 combined.
I vote for Kluwe to be King Rex at Mardi Gras! Laissez les bon temps rouler!!
What a great guy.
Prefier hasn’t denied making comment but he did pull the”I have gay family members” card
@Kim1 – I cant recall totally, but I read the statement the coach released in response to this, & I thought he said something like ‘everything I’m being accused of is completely untrue’. Just a non-specific, sweeping way to deny everything without having to address each point.
I’m from MN and I love Kluwe. However, he was commanding a high paycheck and them replacing him with someone cheaper was imminent. I don’t doubt what he’s said played into that, though, and I don’t think that’s fair. The people of my state as a whole are pretty accepting but that doesn’t mean bigotry doesn’t still happen. I wish it wasn’t like this but it’s not surprise.
It was fun seeing him at Pride though. Hopefully he comes back for it.
So ridiculous. We (MN) ended up passing Gay Marriage not long after this and it was NO BIG DEAL. People are so used to at this point that is really didn’t make much news at the time. It was legalized and in effect by the time the next season started.
I can understand the Vikings not wanting to employ a guy that makes a lot of news – but his treatment and the comments made by staff are filthy and disgusting. This is why we have gay teenagers hanging themselves in their bedroom closet. Really wish people could move on from their “problems” with gay people.
What have I learned in 2013. Say the most vile, disgusting things about human beings , all is right in the world and my first amendment rights are in violation. Become a voice to protect said beings can lead to ridicule and unemployment. Got it.
I think my complete cynicism must be contagious xD Not that anything you said is untrue, sadly. It’s situations like this that gradually formed me (from a young age) to be the severe cynic I am today… You see this sort of thing, which is outright *Wrong*, over and over, causing you to automatically lose faith and become quick (& unsurprised) to assume the worst of people.
The NFL is institutionally homophobic – not just The Vikings.
Cluwe will find other employment because he talks and writes as if he actually went to college and sat in on his classes!
You know I love reading stuff on Deadspin. There is always something absolutely off the wall there to read daily. Now granted it is a site that is geared towards the men… they have some funny writers. And they do not hold back their feelings on covering sports.
But they do silly stuff too… and this one just had me rolling. And it is not for the faint of heart.
http://deadspin.com/what-did-we-get-stuck-in-our-rectums-this-year-1486766986
It is the follow up comments from the readers… that cracked me up.
I spent my high school years, working in the Radiology dept. on the weekends at the local hospital. And the ER was next door to the X-Ray dept. And I saw things that no teenage girl should know about. Much less seen in person. Yet, after all these years… I see that people still have not stop placing foreign objects in random body orifices.
I have a weak stomach so I won’t click on link:)
There is no gross things to see… just a funny article about things that showed up in the ER….
Loved Kluwes essay.
“The Vikings have called in former Chief Justice of Minnesota Supreme Court Eric Magnuson and former U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Chris Madel to lead the investigation into former punter Chris Kluwe’s allegations released on Thursday.
“It is extremely important for the Vikings organization to react immediately and comprehensively with an independent review of these allegations,” said Vikings Owner Mark Wilf in a press release.
Madel led the high-profile investigation of the Fiesta Bowl committee in Phoenix, Ariz. and has been named Minnesota Lawyer’s “Attorney of the Year” for the last three years.
The investigation is already underway and will include interviews with current and former members of the Vikings organization….”
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/blogs/238629281.html
I don’t put anything past Kim Jong Un. He is on a massive power trip right now and has proven he will do anything to prove himself to the world as a “mighty” & “ruthless” leader. A couple of months ago he executed a bunch of people – I think it was in the hundreds – for watching South Korean “propaganda” (tv shows – soap operas). TV shows! Unfortunately I think its going to get worse before it gets better. That’s, in conjunction with what China is doing, makes for a very tense region.
I think it’s more than a little flippant to describe Kim’s alleged ordering of his uncle and others to death-by-wild-dog-pack as “cray”.
Really inappropriate.
dil
jobs74
My boyfriend is a Vikings fan (I’m a Bengals fan and don’t know much about the Vikes), so I showed this article to him. He said Kluwe was an ok punter who got paid a ton, and was replaced by an ok punter who gets paid a little.
I don’t really believe or disbelieve this story. I think it might be one of those where neither side is being entirely truthful.