Paul Allen, the play-by-play voice for the Minnesota Vikings and a sports radio host about KFAN in the Twin Cities, apologized Monday for what he called an “insensitive” joke suggesting protesters in the area were mercenaries.
He delivered his mea culpa in a recorded message during his radio time slot, noting that he was also taking a break from work.
“Good morning,” he said. “I made a comment on air Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed, and I am sorry. It was a misguided attempt at humor, and while it was never intended with malicious intent or political insult, I want to apologize absolutely and wholeheartedly to those who were truly hurt or offended by it.”
Before a large demonstration Friday in frigid temperatures against the Trump administration’s use of federal officers, Allen said, “Do paid protesters get hazard pay in circumstances like this? Those are the things I’ve been thinking about this morning.”
Former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway, who was also on the program, wisely noted, “I’m probably not going to touch that one.”
“Everyone is catching strays this week,” Allen continued. “… Paid protesters captured one this morning.”
The comments, they resonated right-wing conspiracy theoriescaused a backlash and even a boycott thread on Reddit.
The day after Allen’s exhumation, another protester, Alex Pretti, was shot and killed by federal agents under questionable circumstances.
“You don’t formulate political opinions from nine to twelve,” Allen continued in his recorded statement. “We don’t bash or praise political discussions, or even focus on political issues. This timeslot has always been a sports-focused space built to entertain, a place where we talk sports, provide an escape from the heavy stuff and give listeners the distraction they need from everything else going on.
“As I have said many times before, we serve you, not the other way around. We are very fortunate and thank you for being able to count on us for as long as you have. It means more than you will ever know. My best foot forward was missing on Friday, and for that I am sorry. I am taking a few days off. I wanted to express these thoughts and my sincere apologies to you before I do.”
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Allen had previously expressed his sadness on X about the “terror…happening all around us here in MN‘, while promising ‘no more cheesy one-liners from me’ – but without an immediate apology.
HuffPost reached out to KFAN for comment but did not immediately hear back.
