Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe
says the National Football League (NFL) is becoming increasingly
tolerant of gays.
The 30-year-old Kluwe made headlines
this week when he came to the defense of Baltimore Ravens linebacker
Brendon Ayanbadejo for supporting gay marriage in Maryland.
Both Kluwe and Ayanbadejo have spoken
out in support of marriage equality.
But when Maryland Delegate Emmett C.
Burns Jr. wrote to Ravens owner Steven Disciotti complaining about
Ayanbadejo's advocacy, Kluwe stepped in, calling Burns “mindfucking
obscenely hypocritical,” “closed minded” and “totally lacking
in empathy” in a letter published on Friday. He concluded a
postscript with: “Asshole.”
(Related: Chris
Kluwe goes after lawmaker attacking Brendon Ayanbadejo over gay
marriage.)
In remarks to The
New York Times, Kluwe said the league's attitude towards gay
rights was softening.
“I think the culture in the NFL has
become a lot more tolerant in the last 10 years or so,” he said.
“There's a younger generation coming in every year or two, and they
make me hopeful of the future.”
Ayanbadejo said he had received
overwhelming support: “I'd say the majority of players are siding
with me, that all people have a right to live and love and be happy.
… I'm really happy to see the tides changing in the positive.”