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Minnesota Vikings Announcer To Take ‘A Few Days Off’ After ‘Paid Protesters’ Comment

"I made a comment on-air Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed and I’m sorry."

   DailyWire.com
Minnesota Vikings Announcer To Take  ‘A Few Days Off’ After ‘Paid Protesters’ Comment
Illustration by Daily Wire staff

Paul Allen, the play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Vikings, said Monday that he’s taking “a few days off” after a comment about “paid protesters” in Minnesota on his radio show last week.

“In conditions like this, do paid protesters get hazard pay? Those are the things that I’ve been thinking about this morning,” Allen said during his show on KFAN Friday.

The comments received backlash on social media, prompting an apology from Allen and his absence from the airwaves.

KFAN aired the apology from Allen on Monday during a commercial break ahead of the radio station’s “9 to Noon” show that Allen hosts, per Awful Announcing.

“I made a comment on-air Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed and I’m sorry,” he said.  “It was a misguided attempt at humor and while it was never meant with any ill-intent or political affront, I absolutely and wholeheartedly want to apologize to those who genuinely were hurt or offended by it. Nine-to-noon doesn’t formulate political opinions. We don’t bash or praise political discussions or even focus on political issues.”

Allen claimed his show always tries to focus on sports and strives to offer an escape from more serious issues for their listeners, the outlet added.

“My best was lacking Friday, and for that I am sorry. I am taking a few days off, wanted to express these thoughts and my sincere apology with you before I do,” Allen added.

The announcer made the comments about paid protesters while discussing the misconception of how trees can apparently “explode” in Minnesota due to frigid temperatures. Allen then went on to ask if the people who have been on the streets in Minnesota protesting ICE were getting hazard pay because of the conditions.

Shortly after the Minnesota Vikings announcer’s show on Friday, Allen wrote the following on X:

“I have to stop watching all this for a little bit. I’m so sad this terror is happening all around us here in MN. I just prayed to God’s will for it to somehow stop and now and started crying. I truly am sorry for all hurting like me through this, and I just want us to be a Love Covenant again. Truly. Let’s all pray this stops somehow because it’s awful. And no more cheap one-liners from me.”

Allen’s comments were made before the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents.

Allen has handled play-by-play duties for the Minnesota Vikings since 2002. The station didn’t say when Allen would return to his normal hosting duties.

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