HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe wore a T-shirt, shorts and flip flops when he showed up to talk about his arrest Tuesday night during the Huntington Beach City Council meeting.
He used the occasion to call MAGA ‘a Nazi movement’ in a video that went viral.
“I have faith in human nature, but I also have faith in the fact that I am a large person who is not afraid to commit violence,’’ the 6-foot-4 Kluwe told USA TODAY Sports when asked if he feels at physical risk after his comments got so much attention. “I don’t want it to come to that point. But if people think that peaceful protest is the only thing that I do, they will very sadly be learning otherwise.’’
Kluwe, 43, made those remarks outside the Central Library after he said he was approached by a man on a bike who was muttering in his direction before saying, “You’re canceled.’’
But two women who approached Kluwe on Thursday thanked him for his remarks at the city council meeting that preceded his arrest.
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A video from the council meeting shows the former Minnesota Vikings punter beginning his protest by reading a prepared statement that called MAGA ‘explicitly a Nazi movement.’ Kluwe continued by saying he would engage in ‘peaceful civil disobedience,’ whereupon he left his spot at the lectern and approached the city council members’ bench.
Police quickly detained the former NFL player using handcuffs and carried him out of the room.
“I am prepared to go to jail again but I do think it’s that serious,’’ Kluwe said Thursday. “And I’m unwilling to ask someone to do something that I’m unwilling to do myself.’’
Explaining why he protested, Kluwe pointed out he is white, male and heterosexual. ‘Privlege and power,’ he said.
“It’s important (those) who have privilege and power like I do to be out there on the front lines helping support those who are being oppressed,’’ he continued. “Because we cannot expect the people being oppressed to do all the work. It’s on all of our shoulders to do that work. And I hope other people are brave enough and willing enough to do this.’’
Is it important for athletes to use their platform to speak out about what Kluwe calls fascism?
“I think the more important question to ask is why aren’t owners speaking out?’’ he said of those who own NFL teams. “Why aren’t people with real power, people who sign the checks, why aren’t they saying anything?’’
He also said he understands that everybody who wears a MAGA hat or supports Trump is not a Nazi. But he said they should be aware of the rise of Hitler and quoted ‘First They Came for,’ written by a German pastor after World War II.
After reciting lines from Martin Niemṏller, Kluwe added, “If I want somebody to speak out for me, I have to be willing to speak out for them. …I want to be in a world where everybody is free to be who they are.’’
‘Thank you so much’
Since his arrest, Kluwe said, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. But that his wife is “kind of exhaustively approving. I told her I might get arrested. She said, ‘Yeah, sure.’ ’’
Sure enough, he ended up in jail.
“Four and a half stars out of five,’’ he said of the experience. “I could’ve used some cushions on the metal bench.’’
Wearing attire that blends in in a city known for its surfing, Kluwe nonetheless was approached by Maria Subia, 32, who said she works as a nanny.
“You’re the football player?’’ she asked.
Just like that, their conversation was underway. Subia told Kluwe she is bisexual and biracial, suggesting she is a member of groups facing discrimination.
“Everything you said is exactly right on,’’ Subia said. “Thank you so much.’’
Another woman walking into the library with a young child saw Kluwe and said, “Thanks for speaking out.’’
“Oh, thank you!’’ Kluwe replied. “I appreciate that.’’
Though his NFL career ended in 2012, he said he coaches punters on the freshman football team at nearby Edison High School and generally keeps a low profile.
That’s ended for now.
“Right now what’s happening is we have somebody that’s trying to be king and I’m fundamentally against that,’’ Kluwe said, referring to Trump. “And I think that’s something the City Council is OK with, so I’m fundamentally against them as well.’’
Earlier this month a city commission approved the installation of a plaque at the Central Library that has the slogan, ‘Magical, Alluring, Galvanizing, Adventurous’ arranged in the style of an acrostic poem, ‘MAGA’, according to local reports.
Of his own protest and arrest, Kluwe added, “This is something that I feel our Democratic officials should be doing and they’re not doing it. So if they’re not doing it, somebody’s got to step up. And if I’m in a position where I can step up, I’ve got to do it.’’