Last week, word came from the lawyer for former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe that his client and the team had reached agreement on a settlement of the issues related to Kluwe’s departure from the team in 2013.
The two sides made that settlement official on Tuesday with a joint press release.
“As a family we have long-supported equal rights causes, including marriage equality,” said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf in the release. “We are glad a resolution of this matter has been reached, and we look forward to continuing our efforts to create positive awareness of these issues.”
“I’m pleased that the issue has been resolved,” said Kluwe. “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 alleged that he was let go by the team because of his outspoken support of marriage equality and that special teams coach Mike Priefer made homophobic remarks during the 2012 season. The Vikings released the report of an investigation into the allegations that found Kluwe was released for football reasons and the team suspended Priefer for up to three games for what the report said was one homophobic comment. Kluwe contemplated litigation, but the settlement puts an end to that possibility.
As part of the settlement, the Vikings will donate money to five LGBT groups over the next five years. The amount of money was not disclosed, though Kluwe’s lawyer Clayton Halunen called it “substantial”
“Everybody knows the numbers we have been talking about over the past seven months,” Halunen said, via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “It’s substantial … Chris will receive absolutely nothing from this settlement.”
In the release, the Vikings also promised to “continue to enhance its sensitivity training policy” in the wake of Priefer’s suspension.