Chris Kluwe tweets he's been released by Vikings

[MinM]

Source: USA Today

Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports12:52 p.m. EDT May 6, 2013

Minutes after the Minnesota Vikings selected a punter in this year's NFL draft, Chris Kluwe cited a quote from the movie Dodgeball that included the line, "Let's see how it plays out."

It has now played out, and it apparently ended with Kluwe's release.

...

"So long, Minnesota, and thanks for all the fish!" Kluwe wrote. "Thank you to all the fans, my teammates, and the Wilf family for the past 8.5 years. I wouldn't have traded it for anything."

Kluwe has drawn headlines for his stance in support of gay marriage a nd his outspoken nature on many issues. Many believe a punter is supposed to be a lot quieter. Count Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer as a member of that group...

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2013/05/06/minnesota-vikings-chris-kluwe/2138795/

[Bigredhunk]

1. Peter King Talked About This In His Weekly Monday Morning QB Article On CNNSI

He'll be signed by another team, unless teams don't want him because he's outspoken. He's too good of a punter not to punt in the NFL.

[babylonsister]

2. He's a doll; does anyone know what his record was like?

Did he earn a release or is this payback for the man being outspoken?

[rurallib]

3. He was on Stephanie last week. Sounded like

he was a quite effective punter - one of the best playing.
From what I have heard he shouldn't be out of a job too long.

[SomeGuyInEagan]

11. Really like Stephanie ... NFL analyst she ain't, tough

He struggled much of last year, very poor at getting punts within the 20-yard line (near the bottom in that category, which is one of the more telling categories for punting stats), middle-of-the-pack for punting average (overhyped stat, but part of the formula) and shanked punts in a couple of key situations which hurt the Vikings.

Minnesota - the state - is a MUCH BETTER PLACE WITH CHRIS KLUWE HERE.

But the NFL cares way, way, way too much about winning games and making money to really give two shits about his political life. Jesus, they let guys who shoot people play. Even the Vikings, with their Love Boat incident and Chris Cook's beating his girlfriend last year did think that was enough to keep those players off the field if they were the best available.

Always follow the money.

[rurallib]

13. I was planning on using her as my tout next season

better change.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

4. He's a slightly better than average punter....

....but scheduled to make 1.45 million, which is a bit much for his production. He'll sign elsewhere for less.

[hughee99]

5. His numbers weren't overly impressive.

He's in the last year of his contract (usually the most expensive one) and they might have lost him next year anyway to free agency. He had a good season, but they can bring in another punter relatively cheap who will be serviceable. This wasn't a shock and, while I can't say this for sure, I don't believe it was about his politics. I think it was financial for the Vikings. I expect that Kluwe will have a new job before the season starts.

[magellan]

6. Whew!

Anyone know how long those damnable Vikings held him? Well, at least they gave him fish to make up for what I'm sure was a horrendous time in captivity. Amazed he made it out alive.

[Botany]

7. this has to do w/money and not Chris' personal views

The Vikings can get a younger punter for 1/4 of what Chris makes.

[Stewland]

8. Chris is a hero to many and he will move on to greener pastures

While many will miss him in Minnesota we are very grateful for his gift of eloquence. He will no doubt remain in some very public role. We love you and wish you the very best.

[MinM]

9. Ben Maller of Fox Sports Radio was all over this issue...

last week. Here's his latest tweet...

@benmaller: Must be just a coincidence that Chris Kluwe and Brendon Ayanbadejo, outspoken proponents of gay marriage, were both FIRED from NFL jobs.

https://twitter.com/benmaller/status/331551749993267200

[SwankyXomb]

10. Now he has time to devote to

his campaign for Minnesota's 6th District.

[Ratty]

12. As someone who doesn't know a thing about sports

The headline gave me a chuckle

[Danmel]

14. Gotta love the guy

cute, smart, open minded and a Doug Adams fan.

[Rowdyboy]

15. They just keep stepping in it and no matter how hard they try to wipe it off it sticks to the bottom

of their shoes. And as much as they try to deny it, millions will be convinced that they are heartless bigots. For PR purposes alone they've brought a well deserved nightmare on themselves.

[Botany]

16. real football fans will know this was about the $ not Chris' views on the world

The Vikings can pay a player 1/4 of what Chris is making and get the job done.

[Rowdyboy]

18. I'm sure you're right, but what about those millions of us who don't know squat about football?

Many, many people don't know that and won't bother to find out. But they do read news and follow topical stories. They'll just see another incident of management squashing free speech and gay rights.

[Botany]

21. The GM @ Minnesota is Rick Speilman and like 'em or not the one thing you ...

Last edited Tue May 7, 2013, 07:27 PM - Edit history (1)

.... can count on is the Speilman Brothers integrity* and Rick has been on record as
saying that he supports Chris' right to hold his views and his views will not effect
his employment w/ the Vikings.

In the NFL they have what they call a salary cap and the result of that cap is
that many times long time players are released because a younger player is
cheaper and gives that team "more room under the cap. The playing career
of an NFL on average is very short.

Your job is when you hear that Kluwe was cut because of his views on gay rights
is to tell 'em that is not true. You are not Fox News pushing a story line but a great
truth telling DUer.


* except for the NFL draft where everybody lies.

[Rowdyboy]

22. Actually, I make it a point to stay out of almost all sports related discussions because what I

don't know could fill an old fashioned Encyclopedia Brittanica. Case in point-I've never even heard of a "salary cap" in pro-sports. I would have sworn that they're all vastly overpaid as opposed to, say, teachers.

Regardless, I wish him well in finding another position. Unlike so many in sports, he seems to have a clue about what's really important in life.

[Botany]

23. Kluwe should be picked up by another team but this would be his 9th year ....

.... in the league and even if he makes the minimum that a 9 year player
would get he still might be too expensive for the market. If he doesn't
sign w/a new team then if some other punter gets hurt or is not getting the
job done for his team then Chris might get picked up by that team during the
season.

He was paid 8.3 million $s from the Vikings from 2007 to 2012 so if he
is 1/10 as smart as he seems then he and his family should be more then
comfortable for years to come.

After hearing Kluwe speak a few times I have no doubt that he will do well
in whatever field(s) he goes into. I think he would be a good High School
teacher and coach.

[Rowdyboy]

24. Personally, and I only speak for myself, I think that would be an exceptional cap to a career...

What idiot would ask for more?

[Myrina]

17. Send him to Indy ... our last punter took a highly visible drunken dive into the canal ...

.... we could use someone a little more grounded. And talented, IMHO.

[Rhythm]

19. y'all recruited him from WVU.... did you expect any less?!

(this coming from a fellow Mountaineer who was in class with McAfee a few times)

[Myrina]

20. LOL

It was just such a .... duck-shit-filled sorry excuse for a canal ...
I mean, really, he must have been completely shitfaced.