Bob Collins
Vikings and/or Chris Kluwe fans will be playing the “Guess the Uncooperative Person” game today.
The Pioneer Press reports that one “uncooperative person” is delaying the independent investigator from getting to the bottom of whether the former Vikings punter lost his job because of his outspoken views on same-sex marriage.
Chris Madel, one of two attorneys heading the investigation into allegations the former Vikings punter made in January, said Thursday that investigators still want to interview a key person who has been uncooperative.
Kluwe claims the Vikings released him in May 2013 over his outspoken views on same-sex marriage. In a first-person article on Deadspin.com, Kluwe also claimed special-teams coordinator Mike Priefer made homophobic remarks to Kluwe during the 2012 season, an allegation Priefer has denied.
The Vikings say Kluwe was let go strictly for football reasons.
Madel had said April 25 he was hopeful the investigation would be completed in three to four weeks. But he now says difficulties interviewing an individual he wouldn’t name could push completion into June.
This one isn’t that hard to figure out. Last week’s NFL draft no doubt occupied the time of the team’s general manager and player personnel officials, considering that an NFL draft makes or breaks the future of the franchise.
But it’s over now and if in a couple of weeks the “uncooperative person” still isn’t cooperating, then there’ll be a story.
Kluwe, meanwhile, says he’s hoping to play in the NFL again. He’s dreaming. He’s finished in the league.
