Kluwe rips Frazier, Spielman, Priefer

[Eli]

Kluwe ignored appropriate channels for handling workplace grievance allegations and wrongful termination claims and...

Are we forgetting that we're talking about a godamned football player??? He wasn't "terminated". He wasn't "fired". He was replaced, in the exact manner that dozens of players every single season are replaced.

[CalVike]

Are we forgetting that we're talking about a godamned football player??? He wasn't "terminated". He wasn't "fired". He was replaced, in the exact manner that dozens of players every single season are replaced.

You're missing my point. I am not taking a position on whether he would win, just on the method of redress if one feels wronged. A football team is like any other corporation, that point will be solidified after the ridiculous hazing matter in Miami brings change across the league. The days of a $9B industry acting different from the rest of society because it is a locker room are nearly over, thankfully.


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[Eli]

If Kluwe was "terminated" because of his beliefs about something, and that could be construed as a civil rights issue, that's one thing. But if he was "terminated" because he was considered a distraction, or even just because the special teams coordinator didn't like him, that is not a wrongful termination. I don't like you, I don't want you working for me (and, oh by the way, you kind of suck at your job). Perfectly legal.

[Raptorman]

You're missing my point. I am not taking a position on whether he would win, just on the method of redress if one feels wronged. A football team is like any other corporation, that point will be solidified after the ridiculous hazing matter in Miami brings change across the league. The days of a $9B industry acting different from the rest of society because it is a locker room are nearly over, thankfully.


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Never heard of a player going after a team for wrongful termination, or for being fired. They would never win. They are not employees per say but independent contractors. Big difference. Employees cannot not be traded.

[CalVike]

Never heard of a player going after a team for wrongful termination, or for being fired. They would never win. They are not employees per say but independent contractors. Big difference. Employees cannot not be traded.

Fair point. I'm not a lawyer. I probably should have not introduced the "wrongful termination" language. I imagine their would be some recourse for workplace discrimination (if it occurred) even if it is a football team, not sure though. These concepts are evolving.

[CalVike]

If Kluwe was "terminated" because of his beliefs about something, and that could be construed as a civil rights issue, that's one thing. But if he was "terminated" because he was considered a distraction, or even just because the special teams coordinator didn't like him, that is not a wrongful termination. I don't like you, I don't want you working for me (and, oh by the way, you kind of suck at your job). Perfectly legal.

Right, and you've just succinctly stated what Kluwe would argue, versus what the Vikings would argue, in a wrongful termination case. Nice job!

[CalVike]

Let me post my concern another way. Here's why I don't like Kluwe's method. He in effect crucified Priefer. Here are several articles on it from high profile news outlets. How can Priefer get a fair shake to argue his side, even with his statement? People won't forget this onslaught no matter how many denials come out from the Vikings organization. Kluwe's method made Priefer into a huge distraction, quite probably his point. I believe everybody deserves a fair shake in society. One side's not getting it here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/03/sport ... ports&_r=0

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ear ... d-priefer/

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB1 ... 3147306244

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/01/chris-k ... e-priefer/

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/ ... s-21403244

[The Breeze]

Let me post my concern another way. Here's why I don't like Kluwe's method. He in effect crucified Priefer. Here are several articles on it from high profile news outlets. How can Priefer get a fair shake to argue his side, even with his statement? People won't forget this onslaught no matter how many denials come out from the Vikings organization. Kluwe's method made Priefer into a huge distraction, quite probably his point.

[/quote]
I'm sure it was.

I believe everybody deserves a fair shake in society. One side's not getting it here.

and that's what gays are saying...and before them women, and before them blacks...native americans etc.

if Priefer isn't what kluwe claims, he'll get serious about defending himself.....if he doesn't, perhaps he'll get a real lesson in empathy regarding what it actually feels like to be a social pariah.

[Eli]

Talk to the guy paying the bills who openly supported his outspokenness when it first became an issue (Zygi Wilf). Pretty simple in my mind.

Proving yet again just how out of touch Wilf is with reality and owning an NFL franchise. I'm sure he supports the message and I can certainly see him saying something like this to Kluwe - without realizing what it's like for his coaches having to deal with a side show like this in the locker room. Completely and utterly clueless.

[CalVike]

Proving yet again just how out of touch Wilf is with reality and owning an NFL franchise. I'm sure he supports the message and I can certainly see him saying something like this to Kluwe - without realizing what it's like for his coaches having to deal with a side show like this in the locker room. Completely and utterly clueless.

The Wilf anecdote was the best part of the piece by Kluwe. If the locker room cannot handle progress, the locker room should close. The problem wasn't Kluwe's actions, it was the team's reaction to it, if proven true.

[thatguy]

I don't even get why we need to debate how it "should" have been handled. To me that's not the issue here at all.

Because it not only hurts the Vikings as an organization (which, as a whole is made up of a classy bunch of people) and paints it as an "anti-progressive" organization that employs bigots. More importantly, it makes it harder for anyone to truly understand what Kluwe is hoping to accomplish. He's created a situation where he comes off as sounding like a bitter ex-girlfriend who all of the sudden wants to dish dirt on someone out of spite rather than having a legitimate complaint. It comes across as self-righteous martyrdom instead of real "activism" as he claims.

Had gone about this the RIGHT way (and yes, I think there was a clear cut RIGHT way to do this) and talked to Wilf (who, as was mentioned, openly supported Kluwe's stance and pays the bills for the entire operation), this whole thing could've been avoided and he may very well still have a job and Priefer might be out of a job anyway. Is vengeance really what Kluwe is about? If that's really what his "activism" boils down to, what kind of message does that send about anyone sides with him? I have ZERO problem with Kluwe exposing a bigot as a bigot (not saying that Priefer is because I wasn't there), but if he truly cared about the "cause" instead of just making a splash and a name for himself, he would've chosen the right way to handle this. I mean, Deadspin? C'mon...

[thatguy]

The Wilf anecdote was the best part of the piece by Kluwe. If the locker room cannot handle progress, the locker room should close. The problem wasn't Kluwe's actions, it was the team's reaction to it, if proven true.

If Kluwe doesn't TELL Wilf that his special teams coach is saying terrible things and just a bad person overall, what do you expect him to do?! You do realize that owners aren't involved in every single part of the gameplanning process and aren't always around the day-to-day operations of the team - that's why ownership usually meets with players after the season to talk about coaches and management so they can know what needs to be changed or improved. I don't see what's wrong with what Wilf said to Kluwe. He's the one that benefits from Kluwe keeping his mouth shut (PR-related news), and it's not like Priefer or Frazier were answering questions about Kluwe week in and week out. I don't blame Wilf for ANY of this.

[PurpleHalo]

I think the Vikes may have an Incognito style #### coming their way.

Unfortunately, I have a feeling this is going to get uglier before it gets better, especially if other players start coming forward.

My question is this, if priefer is such a huge bigot, don't you think instances from prior to the Kluwe claims will surface? I mean, tigers can't change their stripes.

if Kluwe's claims are not substantiated by the word of a least one more player and the claims by Kluwe are the only ones that surface, then it can only be taken as a outspoken crybaby with sour grapes.

The last line of the letter puts motive for Kluwe to make it all up as well.

Honestly, I hope one of two things happens, either:
1.) Priefer's bigoted distasteful actions are substantiated and he's canned, never to be heard of again
Or
2.) they aren't, and Priefer sues the crap out of Kluwe for defamation of character, and we never hear from him again.

And this is America, he has a right to his opinion too! Tolerance only goes one way anymore, the PC way. I don't want to hear anyones opinion really, but they have a right to it. As long as he doesn't actually put people on an island and nuke them he is okay. People in this country have grown far too thin skinned!

[PurpleHalo]

The same reason that the Miami Dolphins "bullying" incident was under investigation of the league. With the public being aware of this, the NFL can't just stand by, they need to address that this incident be dealt with properly, but also ensure that nothing of this manner happens again league wide.

There isn't any incident, it's a non story. They cut Kluwe, which they have the right to do FOR ANY REASON! AT ANY TIME! He is trying to make a story out of it, Preifer still has freedom of speech, and if he doesn't it is indeed tiime to lock and load! The Vikings can fire Preifer as well, FOR ANY REASON! Everything is just fluff to get attention.

This country is turning into a joke that the media or anyone gives any attention to garbage like this. Idiot kickers should just ride off and be happy they got to punt in the NFL.

[Eli]

The Wilf anecdote was the best part of the piece by Kluwe. If the locker room cannot handle progress, the locker room should close. The problem wasn't Kluwe's actions, it was the team's reaction to it, if proven true.

If by "reaction" you mean the no-question-about-it decision to replace him, you're wrong. The reaction to Kluwe's actions were absolutely justified. He was a distraction who wasn't a good enough player to warrant putting up with his crap.