Paul Allen, the play-by-play voice for the Minnesota Vikings and a sports radio host on KFAN in the Twin Cities, apologized Monday for what he called an “insensitive” joke suggesting that protesters in the area were mercenaries.
He delivered his mea culpa in a recorded message during his radio time slot, noting that he was also taking a break from work.
“Good morning,” he said. “I made a comment on air Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed, and I’m sorry. It was a misguided attempt at humor, and while it was never meant with any ill intent or political affront, I absolutely and whole-heartedly want to apologize to those who genuinely were hurt or offended by it.”
Before a large demonstration in frigid temps Friday against the Trump administration’s deployment of federal officers, Allen said: “In conditions like this, do paid protesters get hazard pay? Those are the things that I’ve been thinking about this morning.”
Former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway, who was also on the program, wisely commented, “Probably not gonna touch that one.”
