NFL news: Vikings announcer Paul Allen apologizes for paid protesters comments

Former Minnesota Vikings host Paul Allen mentioned he’s taking a number of days off from his radio present after making feedback about “paid protesters” on Friday.

KFAN’s Allen questioned whether or not those that protested within the excessive chilly obtained hazard pay.

“Do paid protesters get hazard pay underneath circumstances like this? These are the issues I have been desirous about this morning,” Allen mentioned Friday.

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Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen walks the sector earlier than an NFL sport between the Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on November 10, 2024. (Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

Allen once more referred to the paid protesters when he talked about individuals catching stray animals.

“All people’s catching strays this week. (Vikings defensive coordinator Brian) Flores, Kevin Stefanski of Baker (Mayfield), Charlie ‘Biyatch’ caught one out of nowhere. They’re simply throughout, paid protesters caught one this morning,” Allen mentioned, referencing his earlier feedback.

Allen’s feedback got here earlier than a Border Patrol-involved taking pictures left one individual useless in Minnesota final weekend. He reported on the taking pictures on Saturday.

“I have to take a break from watching all of this. I am so unhappy that this terror is occurring throughout us right here in MN,” Allen wrote on X.

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Minnesota Vikings radio commentator Paul Allen seems on earlier than the NFL sport between the Inexperienced Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings at US Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 4, 2026. (Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)

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“I simply prayed for God’s will that it might cease by some means and now I began crying. I am actually sorry that everybody has been hurting like me due to this, and I simply need us to be a Covenant of Love once more. I actually do. Let’s all pray that this may cease by some means as a result of it is terrible. And no extra tacky one-liners from me.”

He opened Monday’s present with an apology.

“Good morning. I made a touch upon air Friday about protesters and the climate that was insensitive and poorly timed. And I am sorry. It was a misguided try at humor. And whereas it was by no means meant with malicious intent or political insult, I need to apologize completely and wholeheartedly to those that have been actually harm or offended by it,” Allen mentioned.

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Minnesota Vikings radio announcer Paul Allen (left) greets basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (proper) earlier than the preseason sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders at US Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 10, 2024. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Pictures)

“‘9-to-Midday’ doesn’t specific political views. We don’t bash or reward political discussions and even concentrate on political points. This timeslot has at all times been a sports-centric house constructed to entertain, a spot the place we discuss sports activities, present an escape from the heavy stuff and provides listeners the distraction they want from all the pieces else occurring. As I’ve mentioned many instances earlier than, we serve you, not the opposite method round. We’re very lucky and thanks for with the ability to rely on us for so long as you’ve gotten you’ve gotten. It means greater than you’ll ever know.”

“I did not do the very best on Friday and for that I am sorry. I am taking a number of days off however needed to precise these ideas and my honest apologies to you first earlier than I do. We thank our good friend Paul Charchian for dealing with ‘9 to Midday’ right this moment.”

KFAN didn’t say whether or not Allen was disciplined for the remark. He has been with KFAN since 1998 and has been the Vikings’ play-by-play announcer since 2002.

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