Minnesota Vikings suspend special teams coach for making homophobic comments

The Minnesota Vikings announced on Friday evening that the team is suspending special teams coordinator Mike Priefer for making a homophobic comment to former punter Chris Kluwe, Sports Illustrated reports.

The team launched an independent investigation following allegations made by Kluwe in a first-person article for Deadspin. Kluwe said that the team discouraged his public support of marriage equality, and that the Vikings eventually released him because of his views. Kluwe took to Twitter in response to the team's report.

The Vikings' investigation determined that Priefer made one homophobic comment, but the team said there was not "sufficient evidence" in regard to Kluwe's allegations that he was discouraged from voicing his opinions about marriage equality. And, the Vikings noted that Kluwe was released in May 2013 not because of his personal views but because of his "declining punt performance."

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Priefer, who has been suspended for three games, apologized in a statement, and the Vikings have pledged $100,000 to LGBT rights organizations.