By sdswanson
MINNEAPOLIS (AP/WCCO) — The Minnesota Vikings will suspend special teams coordinator Mike Priefer without pay for three games this season and donate $100,000 to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights groups, in response to former punter Chris Kluwe’s allegations of anti-gay remarks made by Priefer.
The Vikings released Friday a summary of the investigation by independent lawyers that was initiated in January, when Kluwe first accused Priefer and other Vikings officials of punishing him for his outspoken support of gay marriage. Kluwe was let go before the 2013 season, which he contended was because of his views.
The Vikings said Priefer’s ban could be reduced to two games at their discretion if he attends individualized sensitivity training.
Clayton Halunen, Kluwe’s lawyer, confirmed Friday that they plan to file a discrimination lawsuit against the Vikings as soon as Monday.
Kluwe sent the following response to WCCO Friday evening:
“I’m very disappointed that the Vikings chose to pursue this path. I thought they were invested in an open and transparent investigation. Clearly they were not, and are now smearing my name by leaking selected parts of the report. We will see them in court.”
Halunen says they will seek damages in excess of $10 million.
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Source: CBS Minnesota
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