The specifics of the settlement between the Minnesota Vikings and former punter Chris Kluwe remain private, but we now know that it will include a financial donation on the Vikings' behalf toward gay rights groups.
Vikings will donate to LGBT groups as part of Chris Kluwe settlement
The team will provide funding to five organizations as part of a resolution with its former punter.
The Vikings pledged to “provide continued financial support for human rights and anti-hate causes, resulting in a substantial and material benefit in the fight against gender preference discrimination,” the team announced in a statement Tuesday.
The Vikings will provide five undisclosed charities with funding for the next five years, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.
The team also promised to enhance its employee sensitivity training and build awareness of LGBT issues in pro football.
“I’m pleased that the issue has been resolved,” said Kluwe, who threatened to sue the team after allegedly being released in response to his gay rights activism. “I intend to continue to speak out on behalf of marriage equality, and I am pleased to be a part of the impact the Vikings material charitable contributions will have on LGBT and related causes.”
Kluwe, as he’s wont to do, expounded on Twitter.
Also, I get exactly ZERO dollars from this settlement, so if you sent me a nasty message over the past months, go mainline bleach.
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) August 19, 2014 And no, you don't get to say "Well you were shamed into it." That's been my stance from day one. This has never been about money.
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) August 19, 2014 I believe the Vikings are committed to being leaders on the subject of homophobia in sports, and will work to make significant change.
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) August 19, 2014 Looking forward to seeing the strides the Vikings and the rest of the NFL will make on homophobia going forward. Still work to be done.
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) August 19, 2014 A six-month investigation into the matter concluded that special teams coach Mike Priefer made an anti-gay slur in front of Kluwe, resulting in a three-game suspension for the coach.
Kluwe threatened the suit after the Vikings refused to make the details of the investigation public. He tweeted Tuesday that the report will not be released as part of the settlement but that there were no “systemic problems being covered up.”
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said the Vikings “appreciate Chris Kluwe’s contributions to the Minnesota Vikings as a player and a member of this organization during his eight seasons in which he established many team records as our punter, and we wish him and his family the best in the future.”
“In regards to this matter, our focus remains on maintaining a culture of tolerance, inclusion and respect, and creating the best workplace environment for our players, coaches and staff,” he said.
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