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Chris Kluwe

Updated: Wikipedia source

Chris Kluwe

Christopher James Kluwe ( KLOO-ee; born December 24, 1981) is an American writer, social activist and former professional football player who was a punter in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins before signing with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played in the NFL for the Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Oakland Raiders. Kluwe is widely known for his eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, where he set eight individual team records. During this period, Kluwe became an outspoken advocate on social issues, including same sex marriage and gay rights, which ultimately led to tension between Kluwe and coaching staff. Kluwe was released by the Vikings after the 2012 season, signed with the Oakland Raiders prior to the 2013 season, and was subsequently released. Kluwe was unable to find another NFL team with which to sign and retired from professional football in 2013. Following his departure from football, he has pursued a writing career and was a humor columnist for the sports website Deadspin.

Infobox

Position
Punter
Born
(1981-12-24) December 24, 1981 (age 43)Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight
215 lb (98 kg)
High school
Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, California)
College
UCLA (2000–2004)
NFL draft
2005: undrafted
Punts
623
Punting yards
27,683
Punting yard average
44.4

Tables

Varsity Stats at UCLA · College career › College statistics
2001
2001
Year
2001
Punts
1
Yards
25
Average
25.0
In 20
0
Long
25
2002
2002
Year
2002
Punts
1
Yards
44
Average
44.0
In 20
0
Long
44
2003
2003
Year
2003
Punts
91
Yards
3908
Average
42.9
In 20
19
Long
66
2004
2004
Year
2004
Punts
61
Yards
2647
Average
43.4
In 20
24
Long
68
Totals
Totals
Year
Totals
Punts
154
Yards
6624
Average
43.0
In 20
43
Long
68
Year
Punts
Yards
Average
In 20
Long
2001
1
25
25.0
0
25
2002
1
44
44.0
0
44
2003
91
3908
42.9
19
66
2004
61
2647
43.4
24
68
Totals
154
6624
43.0
43
68
Pre-draft measurables · Professional career
mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 6 ft 4+5⁄8 in(1.95 m)
mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 6 ft 4+5⁄8 in(1.95 m)
Height
mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 6 ft 4+5⁄8 in(1.95 m)
Weight
215 lb(98 kg)
Values from Pro Day
Values from Pro Day
Height
Values from Pro Day
Height
Weight
mw- .mw- 6 ft 4+5⁄8 in(1.95 m)
215 lb(98 kg)
Values from Pro Day
· NFL career statistics
Bold
Bold
Legend
Bold
Legend
Career high
Legend
Bold
Career high
· NFL career statistics › Regular season
GP
GP
Year
GP
Team
Punts
Punting
Yds
Punting
Net Yds
Punting
Lng
Punting
Avg
Punting
Net Avg
Punting
Blk
Punting
Ins20
Punting
TB
2005
2005
Year
2005
Team
MIN
Punting
15
Punting
71
Punting
3,130
Punting
2,540
Punting
62
Punting
44.1
Punting
35.8
Punting
0
Punting
17
Punting
6
2006
2006
Year
2006
Team
MIN
Punting
16
Punting
93
Punting
3,934
Punting
3,309
Punting
68
Punting
42.3
Punting
35.6
Punting
0
Punting
28
Punting
7
2007
2007
Year
2007
Team
MIN
Punting
16
Punting
81
Punting
3,621
Punting
3,001
Punting
70
Punting
44.7
Punting
37.0
Punting
0
Punting
34
Punting
9
2008
2008
Year
2008
Team
MIN
Punting
16
Punting
73
Punting
3,473
Punting
2,589
Punting
62
Punting
47.6
Punting
35.0
Punting
1
Punting
23
Punting
13
2009
2009
Year
2009
Team
MIN
Punting
16
Punting
73
Punting
3,202
Punting
2,762
Punting
60
Punting
43.9
Punting
37.8
Punting
0
Punting
24
Punting
9
2010
2010
Year
2010
Team
MIN
Punting
16
Punting
83
Punting
3,569
Punting
3,228
Punting
59
Punting
43.0
Punting
38.9
Punting
0
Punting
32
Punting
5
2011
2011
Year
2011
Team
MIN
Punting
16
Punting
77
Punting
3,517
Punting
2,925
Punting
60
Punting
45.7
Punting
38.0
Punting
0
Punting
22
Punting
3
2012
2012
Year
2012
Team
MIN
Punting
16
Punting
72
Punting
3,237
Punting
2,856
Punting
59
Punting
45.0
Punting
39.7
Punting
0
Punting
18
Punting
2
Career
Career
Year
Career
Team
127
Punting
623
Punting
27,683
Punting
23,210
Punting
70
Punting
44.4
Punting
37.2
Punting
1
Punting
198
Punting
54
Year
Team
Punting
GP
Punts
Yds
Net Yds
Lng
Avg
Net Avg
Blk
Ins20
TB
2005
MIN
15
71
3,130
2,540
62
44.1
35.8
0
17
6
2006
MIN
16
93
3,934
3,309
68
42.3
35.6
0
28
7
2007
MIN
16
81
3,621
3,001
70
44.7
37.0
0
34
9
2008
MIN
16
73
3,473
2,589
62
47.6
35.0
1
23
13
2009
MIN
16
73
3,202
2,762
60
43.9
37.8
0
24
9
2010
MIN
16
83
3,569
3,228
59
43.0
38.9
0
32
5
2011
MIN
16
77
3,517
2,925
60
45.7
38.0
0
22
3
2012
MIN
16
72
3,237
2,856
59
45.0
39.7
0
18
2
Career
127
623
27,683
23,210
70
44.4
37.2
1
198
54
· NFL career statistics › Playoffs
GP
GP
Year
GP
Team
Punts
Punting
Yds
Punting
Net Yds
Punting
Lng
Punting
Avg
Punting
Net Avg
Punting
Blk
Punting
Ins20
Punting
TB
2008
2008
Year
2008
Team
MIN
Punting
1
Punting
8
Punting
362
Punting
253
Punting
60
Punting
45.3
Punting
31.6
Punting
0
Punting
2
Punting
0
2009
2009
Year
2009
Team
MIN
Punting
2
Punting
9
Punting
384
Punting
364
Punting
61
Punting
42.7
Punting
40.4
Punting
0
Punting
3
Punting
1
2012
2012
Year
2012
Team
MIN
Punting
1
Punting
5
Punting
248
Punting
231
Punting
56
Punting
49.6
Punting
46.2
Punting
0
Punting
1
Punting
0
Career
Career
Year
Career
Team
4
Punting
22
Punting
994
Punting
848
Punting
61
Punting
45.2
Punting
38.5
Punting
0
Punting
6
Punting
1
Year
Team
Punting
GP
Punts
Yds
Net Yds
Lng
Avg
Net Avg
Blk
Ins20
TB
2008
MIN
1
8
362
253
60
45.3
31.6
0
2
0
2009
MIN
2
9
384
364
61
42.7
40.4
0
3
1
2012
MIN
1
5
248
231
56
49.6
46.2
0
1
0
Career
4
22
994
848
61
45.2
38.5
0
6
1

References

  1. "Minnesota Vikings 2015 Media Guide"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160113045201/http://prod.static.vikings.clubs.nfl.com/assets/docs/2015/media-guide-2015.pdf
  2. NFL.com
    https://www.nfl.com/news/chris-kluwe-released-by-oakland-raiders-0ap1000000237219
  3. New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/20/sports/football/punter-chris-kluwes-voice-is-heard-in-same-sex-marriage-debate.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
  4. DraftScout.com
    https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=54301&DraftYear=2005
  5. "Rouen's toe nails down big wins"
    https://www.telegram.com/story/news/local/north/2006/01/28/rouen-s-toe-nails-down/53135442007/
  6. "Hester runs into the NFL record book" Archived December 24, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved December 23, 2010
    http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=7408
  7. "McNabb Gets Vikings No. 5 Jersey for Donation, Kluwe Band Pitch, Ice Cream"
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-02/mcnabb-gets-vikings-no-5-jersey-for-donation-kluwe-band-pitch-ice-cream.html
  8. "accipitradea comments on Per Donte Stallworth, Tom Brady paid practice squad players for intercepting him during practice"
    https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/3nq74m/per_donte_stallworth_tom_brady_paid_practice/cvqdndf
  9. Deadspin.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140103042615/http://deadspin.com/i-was-an-nfl-player-until-i-was-fired-by-two-cowards-an-1493208214
  10. "Minnesota Vikings release outspoken punter Chris Kluwe"
    http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2013/05/06/Minnesota-Vikings-release-outspoken-punter-Chris-Kluwe/UPI-97681367882983/
  11. "Outspoken punter Chris Kluwe excited to join Oakland Raiders – NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN"
    http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/chris-kluwe-signs-oakland-raiders-equality-advocate-prop-8-california-051613
  12. "Twitter / ChrisWarcraft: Thanks to everyone at the Raiders"
    https://twitter.com/ChrisWarcraft/status/374242690088439808
  13. USA Today
    https://web.archive.org/web/20161202044903/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2014/01/03/chris-kluwe-minnesota-vikings-football-homophobic-allegations-mike-priefer/4312785/
  14. CNY Central
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141024231752/http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1012661#.UxaOyPldXbM
  15. The Boston Globe
    https://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2011/07/brees_manning_r.html
  16. "Dear Chris Kluwe: When We Want The Punter's Opinion, We'll Ask For It (We Won't)"
    https://deadspin.com/5823549/dear-chris-kluwe-when-we-want-the-punters-opinion-well-ask-for-it-we-wont
  17. "Chris Kluwe Responds: Can I Kick It? (Yes, I Can)"
    https://deadspin.com/5823788/chris-kluwe-responds-can-i-kick-it-yes-i-can
  18. "They Won't Magically Turn You Into A Lustful Cockmonster"
    https://deadspin.com/5941348/?post=52487943
  19. "Letter to Baltimore Ravens"
    https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--maryland-politician%E2%80%99s-letter-denouncing-brendon-ayanbadejo%E2%80%99s-support-of-gay-marriage.html;_ylt=AnKGJ_4ZZlaJPpFIIrAZDW1N7Ox_;_ylu=X3oDMTFycW9yNjU4BG1pdANBUlRJQ0xFIEFydGljbGUgQm9keQRwb3MDNgRzZWMDTWVkaWFBcnRpY2xlQm9keUFzc2VtYmx5;_ylg=X3oDMTJ2YjUxdGhhBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDYmEyYTgxMzgtNmJiMC0zNjhhLWJiYTYtOTQwODc1YWE1MmRmBHBzdGNhdANob21lfGV4cGVydHMEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdl;_ylv=3
  20. "Vikings punter Chris Kluwe responds to Matt Birk's stance on same-sex marriage"
    https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-xpm-2012-10-02-bal-vikings-punter-chris-kluwe-responds-to-matt-birk-s-stance-on-same-sex-marriage-20121002-story.html
  21. "Nbc Media Centre – "The Last Barrier" Examines Challenges Facing Gay Athletes During Their Playing Careers"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131227000118/http://www.nbcuniversal.presscentre.com/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=13866&NewsAreaId=2
  22. ESPNNewYork.com
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9000545/chris-kluwe-brendon-ayanbadejo-file-amicus-brief-california-favoring-same-sex-marriage
  23. "C.J.: Ellen gets a kick out of Chris Kluwe"
    http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/187816901.html
  24. Twin Cities Pride
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235737/https://www.tcpride.org/downloads/CHRIS%20KLUWE%20ANNOUNCED%20AS%20TWIN%20CITIES%20PRIDE%20GRAND%20MARSHAL.pdf
  25. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10232522/chris-kluwe-former-member-minnesota-vikings-says-was-cut-due-views
  26. northlandsnewscenter.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140103183438/http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/sports/Ex-Viking-Kluwe-Calls-Frazier-a-Coward-Preifer-a-Bigot-238489551.html
  27. CBS Sports
    http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24395720/vikings-chris-kluwe-released-strictly-based-on-football-performance
  28. "Statement From The Vikings Regarding Chris Kluwe"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140106040440/http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Statement-From-The-Vikings-Regarding-Chris-Kluwe/24355d8c-984e-4695-9115-a2c956e4935b
  29. The New Yorker
    https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/sportingscene/2014/01/did-the-vikings-cut-chris-kluwe-for-his-gay-rights-activism.html
  30. cbssports.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140103070502/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24395479/chris-kluwe-blasts-former-vikings-bosses-frazier-spielman-priefer
  31. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10261882/chris-kluwe-former-minnesota-vikings-punter-says-calling-mike-priefer-job-was-harsh
  32. "Vikings launch investigation into Kluwe allegations"
    https://archive.today/20140103233331/http://www.kare11.com/story/news/local/2014/01/03/vikings-hire-firm-to-investigate-kluwe-allegations/4307791/
  33. TwinCities.com
    http://www.twincities.com/ci_24992553/chris-kluwes-lawyer-says-blair-walsh-cullen-loeffler
  34. St. Paul Pioneer Press
    http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_25772442/vikings-uncooperative-witness-delaying-chris-kluwe-investigation
  35. ESPN
    http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/11375100/chris-kluwe-minnesota-vikings-reach-settlement-avert-lawsuit
  36. Nfl.com
    https://www.nfl.com/news/chris-kluwe-calls-out-hall-of-fame-for-ignoring-punters-0ap1000000108407
  37. "Derrick Brooks headlines HOF class"
    https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10387793/2014-pro-football-hall-fame-derrick-brooks-walter-jones-andre-reed-michael-strahan-aeneas-williams-ray-guy-claude-humphrey-selected
  38. ABC7 Los Angeles
    https://abc7.com/post/former-vikings-punter-chris-kluwe-arrested-huntington-beach-council-meeting-protesting-maga-president-donald-trump/15934971/
  39. The Hill
    https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5154312-former-nfl-punter-arrested-for-protest-against-pro-trump-city-council/
  40. Daily Pilot
    https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2025-02-19/former-nfl-player-chris-kluwe-arrested-during-huntington-beach-city-council-meeting
  41. LAist
    https://laist.com/news/politics/former-nfl-player-says-he-was-fired-after-protesting-at-huntington-beach-city-council
  42. Orange County Register
    https://www.ocregister.com/2025/06/20/ex-nfl-player-chris-kluwe-once-arrested-at-a-huntington-beach-council-meeting-will-run-for-california-assembly-seat/
  43. Jason Linkins, Chris Kluwe Quits St. Paul Pioneer Press Over Marriage Equality Amendment Editorial, The Huffington Post,
    https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/03/chris-kluwe-st-paul-pioneer-press_n_2069240.html
  44. "Chris Kluwe to speak at American Atheists convention | ProFootballTalk"
    http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/07/chris-kluwe-to-speak-at-american-atheists-convention/
  45. Reason
    https://reason.com/2012/12/27/libertarian-in-the-nfl/
  46. "93X ROCKS! Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota radio station website"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071213105308/http://www.93x.com/photowall.asp?id=32850
  47. us.battle.net
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110220002625/http://us.battle.net/wow/en/character/kiljaeden/loate/advanced
  48. "Vikings punter Chris Kluwe plays WoW"
    http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/12/30/vikings-punter-chris-kluwe-plays-wow/
  49. "LoL and NFL"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO2URqoUBnU
  50. "Can an NFL punter Defeat A Firaxis Developer In XCOM?"
    https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/12/20/can-an-nfl-punter-defeat-a-firaxis-developer-in-xcom-tune-in-tonight-to-find-out.aspx
  51. "R/Pathofexile - in every piece of prose, lies a tiny spark of magic"
    https://www.reddit.com/r/pathofexile/comments/7fz2m9/in_every_piece_of_prose_lies_a_tiny_spark_of_magic/
  52. Yahoo Sports
    https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/If-McNabb-wants-5-he-8217-ll-be-promoting-a-p?urn=nfl-wp4056
  53. NPR.org
    https://www.npr.org/2012/09/29/161987224/vikings-punter-chris-kluwe-plays-not-my-job
  54. Salon
    https://www.salon.com/2013/07/03/chris_kluwes_beautifully_unique_sparkleponies_is_a_weird_wild_ride/
  55. www.publishersweekly.com
    https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-250-20393-9
  56. "Kobold Guide to Roleplaying"
    https://koboldpress.com/kpstore/product/kobold-guide-to-roleplaying/
  57. "Attention everyone! If you wanted to pick up @TotGgame, but didn't back it, it is NOW AVAILABLE!"
    https://twitter.com/ChrisWarcraft/status/903356806285508608
  58. edisonchargerfootball.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160428205520/http://edisonchargerfootball.com/freshman-coaches
  59. The Orange County Register
    https://www.ocregister.com/2025/02/27/chris-kluwe-says-he-was-fired-from-edison-high-school-football-coaching-job-following-maga-protest/
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