Kluwe rips Frazier, Spielman, Priefer

[The Breeze]

for those having difficulty:


World English Dictionary
bigot (ˈbɪɡət)

— n
a person who is intolerant of any ideas other than his or her own, esp on religion, politics, or race

[C16: from Old French: name applied contemptuously to the Normans by the French, of obscure origin]


and to be very clear...Kluwe called Spielman and Fraizer cowards for them trying to censor his constitutional right to freedom of speech...not because they didn't back his stance on gay rights.

[The Breeze]

Even if that were the case, I'd imagine that's not a terribly uncommon request for punters in the NFL. It also doesn't change the fact that he was beaten in fair competition and cut from the Raiders.

If the freakin Raiders decide you're not good enough to be on their team I think that's a pretty clear sign that your career in the NFL is done.

ummm.... the raiders have the best punter i the NFL average-wise, so, it's no mystery why they cut kluwe.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/ ... gPuntYards

[J. Kapp 11]

I understand that perspective, but here's my question: what could a guy in Kluwe's position do to further a cause he believes in but NOT at the expense of perceived self-promotion? Is perhaps self-promotion a natural consequence of being in the media? I guess I don't understand how he could further a cause to the level he has and NOT.

I just look at what he's done in the past. When he wrote the letter (totally inflammatory and disgusting, by the way) to the legislator in Maryland, he wasn't content to just send the letter. He ran straight to Deadspin and pushed it out to the public. I'm going to guess he thought his idiot letter was clever, funny, and witty, but for my money it was juvenile and self-promoting. If he really cared about gay rights, he would actually WORK to convince Emmett Burns of the error of his ways. Engage in an adult conversation. Instead, he displayed his immaturity by name-calling and character bashing, which he has now done again with Priefer. And for someone who preaches tolerance, Chris Kluwe displays a stunning intolerance of other people's opinions.

It wouldn't be the first time a team didn't want a player due to their off-field baggage.

That's wild speculation, DP. There's just no evidence of this, and he presents none.

No, it doesn't. I don't think he expects to be handed one. But I think he believes he deserves a chance to compete for one. Statistically he's been about average (if not a bit better), which means there are no fewer than 15 teams that could use an upgrade if only from a purely football point of view. However I maintain that he's not SO GOOD of a punter that a team would be willing to take on the non-football-related media attention for a few more net punting yards.

This is far more of a reasonable view than some kind of conspiracy. IF his views factored into his failing to land a job -- and that is a HUGE IF -- it's only because he's not so good that he's worth the headache.

Meh. The reasons he gives for getting this out are logical.

Really? To defame a man in public rather than face the man ... this is logical? Mike Priefer denies all the allegations, and other players are stepping up to defend the coach. As this plays out, it looks more and more like Chris Kluwe simply has an axe to grind, and he doesn't care whose reputation he sullies along the way. Once again, Chris Kluwe has chosen the juvenile route to air his issues. Once again, rather than take up his issues with the people who supposedly torched him, he has run to Deadspin. That's the reason behind my view that he simply craves attention -- and it seems pretty logical to me. YMMV.

[saint33]

A bigot is a person that treats or regards a group of people with hatred or intolerance. Kluwe is clearly treating Pfeifer, Spielman and Frazier with what seems to be a clear hatred. He doesn't want Pfeifer to ever coach again taking away his livelihood and ability to provide for his family because he does not agree with his beliefs of Homosexuality. That to me is bigotry.

If the statements he made are true they are clearly inappropriate and reprehensible and he should be punished for them, but he should not be punished for standing up for fighting for his own personal religious beliefs and Frazier and Spielman are definitely not cowards for not standing up for something that they do not believe in.

While technically I guess you could qualify Kluwe in the definition of a bigot. But is it really the proper way to use the term when you're calling a person a bigot for hating bigots? Because this particular religious belief that homosexuals should have less rights and should be treated differently is a form of bigotry.

And if this is getting to far into the realm of religious discussion for the mods, I'm sorry. Feel free to delete this post

[Demi]

A bigot is a person that treats or regards a group of people with hatred or intolerance.

While technically I guess you could qualify Kluwe in the definition of a bigot. But is it really the proper way to use the term when you're calling a person a bigot for hating bigots?

Damn that bigot MLK for not tolerating racists!

[NextQuestion]

From last year:

"Chris is a pro," Frazier told reporters. "He’s been able to deal with so many things in his career. He’s been able to focus in these situations and focus on the task at hand and has been a very good punter, which he is. I don’t think anything off the field is distracting him. He knows how to focus on his job, and I fully expect him to have a big game for us Sunday."

Also, was totally wondering about Oakland's punter. They must punt all the time but have any of you seen how athletic and built he is?

[Westgaard66]

Well, Priefer has come out and vehemently denied the actions he's accused of.

Felton has come out and defended him, has anyone else?

[The Breeze]

Well, Priefer has come out and vehemently denied the actions he's accused of.

Felton has come out and defended him, has anyone else?

Walsh, Locke and Smith

Of course Priefer is going to deny it...and don't expect any current players to come out and say anything and less there is legal action.

[odinspeak]

Marginalization of that which dissents from the standard will always happen even in this thread but what is always forgotten is that there is no knowledge without deviation.

[Eli]

That's wild speculation, DP. There's just no evidence of this, and he presents none.

Seriously? Welcome to the 21st century. Where have you been?

I absolutely guarantee that it was a factor. And you know what? I'm fine with that, and in fact I applaud it. Not if it was because Kluwe supported this or that cause (frankly, I could give a #### what Chris Kluwe believes) but because it was a distraction and the guy was too stupid to just shut up and play football.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Walsh, Locke and Smith

Of course Priefer is going to deny it...and don't expect any current players to come out and say anything and less there is legal action.

So in your mind, everyone dealing with Priefer at these meetings are all cowards? And bigots by association? And what does that make Kluwe, by waiting till he made sure no in in the NFL would want his pathetic attitude to go along with his pathetic leg?

[Westgaard66]

Walsh, Locke and Smith

Of course Priefer is going to deny it...and don't expect any current players to come out and say anything and less there is legal action.

Yeah, he is going to deny it. You wouldn't expect anything else. It will be interesting to see if any former players come out to say anything. I wonder if Longwell will be approached for comment since he made his opinion known on the head coach's dismissal.

[Eli]

Yeah, he is going to deny it. You wouldn't expect anything else. It will be interesting to see if any former players come out to say anything. I wonder if Longwell will be approached for comment since he made his opinion known on the head coach's dismissal.

If he said these things to a room full of people, the smartest thing would be to not say anything at all, rather than also setting himself up to be called a liar when (if) someone else confirms Kluwe's accusations.

Which way would Longwell lean? If he thinks Spielman is a slimeball (like many people do) and that Leslie Frazier is a saint, then he wouldn't want to call into question the character of a coach that St. Frazier hired.

[The Breeze]

So in your mind, everyone dealing with Priefer at these meetings are all cowards? And bigots by association? And what does that make Kluwe, by waiting till he made sure no in in the NFL would want his pathetic attitude to go along with his pathetic leg?

Not sure what you're getting at.. No way is Priefer going to say. "yeah, I said all gays should be nuked until they glow and that Kluwe will burn in hell with them"

Why would any other player come to Kluwe's "defense" if Kuwe is not requiring any defense? Being a coward has nothing to do with it.

I would imagine that if Priefer actually takes some sort of legal action against Kluwe pummeling him in the press, rather than just vehemently denying the allegations, that is when the other players may come forward.... if they exist. They be called as witnesses and be required to tell the truth under oath.

If it were me and some guy was trying to destroy my reputation and my livelihood and I was innocent, you can bet your #### there'd be legal action.

[CalVike]

This is my opinion on the matter. I believe in the rule of law. Kluwe ignored appropriate channels for handling workplace grievance allegations and wrongful termination claims and chose instead to convict and execute his position coach without a trial laid before his 200,000 twitter followers, the readers of deadspin, and ultimately the whole NFL universe. That rings wrong to me for a guy who fought so hard for the rights of those discriminated against. Kluwe for all his activism was not part of the cohort and his article reads too much to me like he is a victim. Kluwe should have handled it differently and I am very disappointed in him for taking this approach.

I weep for the Vikings though, if the head coach feels the need have a personal public relations assistant. I guess it's all about the spin, if that part of the story is true. Sad to me.

If the allegations are proven true, I hope the team takes appropriate action against Priefer, up to and including termination. If I were Zygi Wilf, I'd call Priefer in and ask him directly if he said the things alleged, as a place to start.


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