Asked if he felt he could approach Wilf about Priefer’s comments, Kluwe said, “Zygi’s not really hands-on with the team. He’s very invested in the team — he’s probably the best owner I’ve ever seen — but he’s not like a Jerry Jones where he’s around all the time. I would kind of see him around occasionally. He’s very passionate and exuberant, but it’s not like I can walk up to Zygi’s office.”
Kluwe also wrote that Spielman texted him and called him in February, asking him to stop tweeting about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI because angry fans were calling the Vikings’ offices. The Vikings released Kluwe after they took UCLA punter Jeff Locke in the fifth round of the draft in April; Spielman said at the time the decision was performance-based and affirmed Kluwe’s right to express his views. Priefer later said the decision was performance-based, adding he felt “very strongly” the Vikings needed a change at the position.
Kluwe, 33, signed with the Oakland Raiders but was cut during training camp. He’s had tryouts with several teams since then, but hasn’t been offered another job.
Kluwe said the Raiders told him they had no problem with him speaking out, only asking whether Kluwe felt his activism would be a distraction. To him, though, the fact that he hasn’t caught on with another team after eight years with the Vikings sends a tacit message that teams are afraid to sign him.
“I’ve had a couple tryouts. I’ve punted consistently. I’ve put the ball outside the numbers with good hang time — [averaging] 43, 45 yards,” he said. “It’s a position where, if you’re good, you can play until you’re 39, 40 years old. The fact I’ve been doing these tryouts and not having a chance to do my job, to me, is a strongly unworded statement that you’re not going have a job again.”