Ellen DeGeneres Praises Vikings' Chris Kluwe
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- On Tuesday's episode of her daytime talk show, Ellen DeGeneres says she's become a Minnesota Vikings fan, even though she also says the Green Bay Packers are one of her favorite teams.
The new fandom comes in response to punter Chris Kluwe's controversial recent letter detailing his stance on defending gay marriage.
Kluwe's letter was written in response to Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ayanbadejo's support for marriage equality in Maryland. The letter drew comments from Baltimore County state delegate Emmett Burns.
Burns, a member of the Democratic Party, said "I find it inconceivable that ... Ayanbadejo would publicly endorse same-sex marriage, specifically as a Raven Football player."
Burns then called on Ravens owner Steve Biscotti to "take the necessary action, as a National Football League Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employees and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions."
Kluwe responded with a letter that opened, "I find it inconceivable that you are an elected official of Maryland's state government. Your vitriolic hatred and bigotry make me ashamed and disgusted to think that you are in any way responsible for shaping policy at any level."
You can read the rest of the letter here. (Note: Letter contains strong language.)
On Tuesday's show, DeGeneres praises both Ayanbadejo and Kluwe and, in particular, calls Kluwe's response "a beautiful, amazing, brilliant letter," before noting, "He has some interesting ways to curse."
"Ellen" airs on WCCO-TV at 4 p.m.
