When prominent athletes speak, people listen. Recently-released Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe was a prominent activist and supporter of gay rights. However, he was a no-name punter on a middling team. He'll fit right in with Sebastian Janikowski and the Raiders' ostentatious culture.
Adrian Peterson is coming off one of the greatest rushing seasons in NFL history, and is the most prolific figure from the state of Minnesota. (Go ahead and name the Governor of Minnesota.) But he stands in respectful opposition to Kluwe's opinions on gay marriage rights. In August, Minnesota will become the 13th state to legalize gay marriage, but Peterson also hopes that Kluwe's hardline support of same-sex marriage didn't contribute to his release last month. Even if you don't agree with Peterson, he manages to present his opinions in classic A.D. fashion — with class and dignity.
Via ESPN.com
"It hurt me to see him leave," Peterson said.
Peterson says he considers Kluwe a good friend but he differs with the punter on the subject for gay marriage.
"To each his own, [but] I'm not with it," he said. "I have relatives who are gay. I'm not biased towards them. I still treat them the same. I love 'em. But again, I'm not with that. That's not something I believe in. But to each his own," he said.
The running back said he didn't believe the Vikings released Kluwe, who has since signed with the Oakland Raiders, because of his outspoken nature.
"I'm sure the Vikings organization didn't release him based on that," he said. "They know Kluwe. They've been knowing him for a long time. They know he's outspoken."
