XPost: cmh.general, balt.general   
   From: navinx@vikings.com   
      
   You think your big mouth might be the reason you're unemployed   
   now Chris?   
      
   Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh is backing special teams   
   coordinator Mike Priefer, whom former punter Chris Kluwe alleged   
   Thursday used homophobic language towards him and pushed to   
   release him over his stand on same-sex marriage.   
      
   "I have had countless conversations and interactions with coach   
   Priefer, and I personally can attest to his integrity and   
   character," Walsh wrote in a statement emailed to USA TODAY   
   Sports.   
      
   "His professionalism in the workplace is exemplary, and I firmly   
   believe that my teammates would whole-heartedly agree. The   
   allegations made today are reprehensible and totally not   
   compatible with what Mike Priefer stands for."   
      
   In an article posted Thursday to the website Deadspin titled "I   
   Was An NFL Player Until I Was Fired By Two Cowards And A Bigot,"   
   Kluwe also criticized coach Leslie Frazier – who was fired   
   Monday – and general manager Rick Spielman for discouraging his   
   activism.   
      
   But Kluwe came down hardest on Priefer, whom claimed "would use   
   homophobic language in my presence" in the fall of 2012 while   
   Kluwe was speaking out against the proposed Minnesota Gay   
   Marriage Amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage and   
   was voted down.   
      
   Kluwe, 32, closed the post by saying in part he published it in   
   hopes Priefer never would hold a coaching position at any level   
   again.   
      
   "I vehemently deny today's allegations made by Chris Kluwe,"   
   Priefer said in his own statement. "I want to be clear that I do   
   not tolerate discrimination of any type and am respectful of all   
   individuals. I personally have gay family members who I love and   
   support just as I do any family member.   
      
   "The primary reason I entered coaching was to affect people in a   
   positive way. As a coach, I have always created an accepting   
   environment for my players, including Chris, and have looked to   
   support them both on and off the field.   
      
   "The comments today have not only attacked my character and   
   insulted my professionalism, but they have also impacted my   
   family. While my career focus is to be a great professional   
   football coach, my number one priority has always been to be a   
   protective husband and father to my wife and children.   
      
   "I will continue to work hard for the Minnesota Vikings, the   
   Wilf family and all of our loyal fans."   
      
   Priefer – a 47-year-old former Navy helicopter pilot who has   
   spent 20 years as a college and pro special teams coach –   
   remained employed by the Vikings as of Thursday afternoon,   
   despite Frazier's firing three days earlier.   
      
   Walsh, who was on the team during the 2012 season and made the   
   Pro Bowl as a rookie under Priefer's tutelage, said in the   
   statement he has "the utmost respect" for Spielman, Frazier and   
   Priefer and firmly stands behind all three.   
      
   "As we all know, in the NFL you must perform at the highest   
   level and meet the performance expectations of your coaches,   
   management, and ownership," Walsh said in the statement.   
      
   "If these expectations, based upon past performance AND future   
   potential for excellence, are not met, your NFL career with that   
   team, is over. I believe this was the case with Chris, and it is   
   unfair to think that his release was anything other than   
   football related.   
      
   "In my time here at Minnesota, Rick Spielman and Leslie Frazier   
   have exemplified true leadership. Contrary to Chris' statements,   
   they have promoted a workplace environment that was conducive   
   for success. At no time did I ever feel suppressed or that I   
   could not be myself."   
      
   The Vikings released Kluwe on May 6, about a week after using a   
   fifth-round draft pick on Jeff Locke. He signed a one-year   
   contract with the Oakland Raiders 11 days later but lost out to   
   another rookie punter, Marquette King, in camp and has been out   
   of the NFL this season.   
      
   "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."   
      
   Hours after Kluwe's Deadspin story was published, the team   
   released a statement saying it was unaware of the allegations   
   until Thursday, takes them "very seriously" and will review the   
   matter thoroughly, while also reiterating Kluwe was released   
   solely based on performance.   
      
   "As an organization, the Vikings consistently strive to create a   
   supportive, respectful and accepting environment for all of our   
   players, coaches and front office personnel. We do not tolerate   
   discrimination at any level," the team statement read.   
      
   "The team has long respected our players' and associates'   
   individual rights, and, as Chris specifically stated, Vikings   
   ownership supports and promotes tolerance, including on the   
   subject of marriage equality. Because he was identified with the   
   Vikings, Chris was asked to be respectful while expressing his   
   opinions.   
      
   "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."   
      
   So he sucked as a punter then?  HAHAHAHAHA!  That's a liberal   
   for ya.  A case of the sore ass because he got fired.   
      
   http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2014/01/02/chri   
   s-kluwe-mike-priefer-special-teams-coordinator-   
   homophobic/4295725/   
      
                     
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)