Chris Kluwe, a former NFL punter who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2005 to 2013, recently found himself at the center of controversy following his outspoken actions against the Maga movement. Known for his advocacy on social issues, particularly his support for same-sex marriage, Kluwe has claimed that his beliefs led to his release from the Vikings. Now, his activism has again made headlines after a confrontation at a Huntington Beach city council meeting resulted in his arrest and subsequent dismissal from his coaching position at Edison High School.
Kluwe's arrest occurred during a heated city council meeting where he opposed the installation of a plaque at a local library. The plaque, featuring the words "Magical, Alluring, Galvanizing and Adventurous," was confirmed to reference the Maga movement associated with former President Donald Trump. Kluwe criticized the movement and took to the stage, declaring his intent to "engage in the time-honored American tradition of peaceful civil disobedience." His actions led to his arrest and an upcoming court date in April.
“Maga is profoundly corrupt, unmistakably anti-democracy and most importantly, Maga is explicitly a Nazi movement.” – Chris Kluwe
Following his arrest, Kluwe was dismissed from his position as the freshman football coach at Edison High School in Huntington Beach. Kluwe's team experienced a challenging season in 2024, ending with a 1-1-8 record and being outscored 297-47. Despite this setback, Kluwe acknowledged the possibility of losing his job due to his activism.
“I knew it was a possible consequence.” – Chris Kluwe
Kluwe has not shied away from expressing his strong views on the Maga movement. He likened it to historical symbols of hate and oppression, stating:
“You may have replaced a swastika with a red hat, but that’s what it is.” – Chris Kluwe
There is potential for legal challenges following Kluwe's arrest, with discussions of involvement from organizations such as the ACLU. Kluwe shared that some believe the circumstances surrounding his dismissal may not hold up legally.
“We’ll see what happens. There’s a possibility the ACLU might get involved. Some people have been telling me they’re looking to challenge this because they think it might not be legal.” – Chris Kluwe