Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has decided to file a lawsuit against the team for poor treatment and his eventual release.
Kluwe believes coming out in favor of gay marriage led to his treatment and termination. Allegations made by Kluwe site verbal homophobic attacks by special teams coach Mike Priefer, on him as a member of the team in 2012.
In a first person story in Deadspin Kluwe outlines what transpired over the 2012 season and how he believes it led to his termination. “I honestly don't know if my activism was the reason I got fired. However, I'm pretty confident it was.” The article also mentions homophobic remarks from Priefer used throughout the course of the season, as well as a turbulent work environment for Kluwe as he tried to voice his opinions on the matter of same-sex marriage.
"The fans deserve to know that what I said about Priefer and the way the Vikings let me go was the truth. I was persecuted and then fired for standing up for what I believe in, all because some small-minded, bigoted people think that homophobia is okay in the NFL. It is not okay, and now it seems like we'll have to go to court to force the Vikings to admit that,” Kluwe told KFAN.com.
The Minnesota Vikings posted a statement in regards to Kluwe’s comment.