Paul Allen was back on the air Feb. 2, a week after apologizing for disparaging comments he made about ICE protesters.
The longtime announcer for the Vikings and Canterbury Park waited until the end of his three-hour broadcast on KFAN radio to directly address his leave of absence.
He called his Jan. 23 comments a “stupid curveball that eliminated, if only for 3½ seconds, the fact that this time slot and real estate has been, is and will be a place for those who endure political snarkiness in their lives and are looking to find a getaway spot.”
Allen, who shared that he spent a few days reflecting in New Orleans, said that he was “remorseful.”
During a Jan. 23 broadcast, Allen wondered aloud if what he called “paid protesters” get hazard pay in the cold. Later in the broadcast, he said: “Everyone’s catching strays this week ... they’re just all over, paid protesters caught one this morning.”
Three days later, after a flurry of criticism, he apologized several times.
“I made comments on Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed, and I’m sorry,” Allen said in a prerecorded statement in which he also announced that he was taking a few days off. “I absolutely and wholeheartedly apologize to those who genuinely were hurt or offended by them [his comments]. Nine to noon doesn’t formulate political opinions, we don’t bash or praise political discussion or even focus on political issues.”
Canterbury Park, where Allen has called races since 1995, has said that Allen will remain its track announcer. KFAN and the Vikings have not commented since the controversy started.
