MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings will suspend special teams coordinator Mike Priefer without pay for three games this season and donate $100,000 to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights groups, in response to former punter Chris Kluwe’s allegations of anti-gay
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings will suspend special teams coordinator Mike Priefer without pay for three games this season and donate $100,000 to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights groups, in response to former punter Chris Kluwe’s allegations of anti-gay remarks made by Priefer.
The Vikings released Friday a summary of the investigation by independent lawyers that was initiated in January, when Kluwe first accused Priefer and other Vikings officials of punishing him for his outspoken support of gay marriage. Kluwe was let go before the 2013 season, which he contended was because of his views.
The Vikings said Priefer’s ban could be reduced to two games at their discretion if he attends individualized sensitivity training.
Kluwe said Friday he still intends to sue the team for discrimination.
49ers’ Aldon Smith sentenced to probation
SAN JOSE, Calif. — A judge has sentenced San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith to three years of probation and to spend 11 days with a work crew after he pleaded no contest to drunken driving and assault-weapons charges.
The sentence came Friday after the Santa Clara County Superior County judge reduced the weapons charges to misdemeanors, noting that the football star has no criminal record involving violence.
Smith was also told to serve 235 hours of community service and pay nearly $4,000 in fines.
Prosecutors said Smith didn’t receive special treatment in the case.
The weapons charges stem from a 2012 party at his home where several shots were fired. Investigators later found unregistered weapons in Smith’s house.
The 49ers said they continue to support Smith’s efforts to grow personally from this experience.
Former players sue union over concussions
NEW YORK — Former NFL players Christian Ballard and Gregory Westbrooks are suing the union for not providing accurate information about the risk of head injuries.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, with both claiming the NFL Players Association “withheld information from the players about the risks of head injuries.”
Ballard and Westbrooks named former union presidents Trace Armstrong, Troy Vincent and Kevin Mawae in the suit.
An NFLPA statement said: “This lawsuit has no merit and we will defend our union and our past presidents.”
Ballard, a defensive end in 2011 and 2012, left the Vikings last September. Coincidentally, he is being represented by the union in a grievance concerning about $240,000 in 2013 salary.
Westbrooks, now 61, played parts of seven seasons from 1975-81 as a linebacker and special teamer with four clubs.
California tribe rejects offer from Redskins group
The Quechan Tribe of California said it won’t take money from a foundation run by the owner of the Washington Redskins.
Quechan tribal President Keeny Escalanti Sr. said Friday that representatives of the Original Americans Foundation met informally this week with tribal lawmakers on the reservation that straddles the California-Arizona border.
Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie said the foundation discussed eight projects with Council members for possible financing but would not elaborate.
Escalanti said he believes the foundation offered assistance to gain the tribe’s support for use of the Redskins name. Escalanti said that won’t happen.
By wire sources
