Cullen Loeffler was seemingly put in a difficult spot when independent investigators hired by the Vikings approached him after the 2013 season. Say one thing and he could put his boss's job -- and his own -- in jeopardy. Deny it and he would have gone against the word of his former teammate.
Loeffler, the Vikings' long snapper since 2004, chose to corroborate former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe's claim that special teams coordinator Mike Priefer uttered an anti-gay statement during a team setting in 2012. His involvement in the investigation led to an acknowledgement from Priefer that he did make the remark that ultimately led to a three-game suspension.
Today, Loeffler said he never worried about losing his job and said he has the team's support.
"It wasn't difficult," he said. "I just told the truth, as the Vikings wanted me to tell the truth. They've been supportive throughout the process and it wasn't hard for me at all."
While one can't justify making an anti-gay comment -- especially that "nuke the gays" comment Priefer is apparently apologizing for -- at their workplace (or anywhere else, really), context is key in this situation. And Loeffler maintains he thought Priefer was joking when he said it, as he told the investigators.
And allegedly Kluwe was in on the joke, too.
"I never thought that it was a serious comment," Loeffler said. "I always thought it was a joke. They both laughed about it. I never thought anything about it."
Kluwe laughed about it?
"It happened so long ago," Loeffler said. "I don't really remember the exact reaction other than that he had laughed as well at that time."
Loeffler said that he hasn't talked to Kluwe "in quite some time," their last conversation taking place before Kluwe's made his claims public in a January article on Deadspin.com.
After a few questions about Kluwe, Loeffler said he is ready to move on from this situation and getting his focus back to snapping footballs cleanly and flying under the radar.
"I'm glad that the investigation has now come to a close," Loeffler said. "Now back here, I'm excited about playing football and I'm ready to go."