MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe said Tuesday that he reached a settlement with the team to avert a threatened lawsuit over his release, saying the club had agreed to donate to several groups that support gay rights.
Kluwe had accused the Vikings of cutting him in 2013 over his outspoken support for gay marriage. Financial details of the settlement weren’t released, but Kluwe said he would get no money. Five different charities will benefit over the next five years.
“This will help a lot of people that really do need that help,” Kluwe said. He said he was convinced the Vikings and owners Zygi and Mark Wilf were committed to the cause.
“They want to make this a reality where there is no homophobia in sports,” Kluwe said.
The Vikings confirmed the settlement in a statement posted on the team’s website. It also includes sensitivity training throughout the organization and plans for a national symposium on LGBT tolerance in Minneapolis in the spring.