History of Chris Kluwe in Timeline

Chris Kluwe is an American writer and former NFL punter. He played college football at UCLA before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played for the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Oakland Raiders. He's now also known as an author and public figure.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

December 24, 1981: Chris Kluwe's Birth

On December 24, 1981, Christopher James Kluwe was born. He later became an American writer and former professional football player in the NFL.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Set school records at UCLA

In 2003, Kluwe set school records for both total punt yardage and total number of punts in a season while at UCLA.

September 2005: NFC Special Teams Player of the Month

In September 2005, Kluwe was named NFC special teams player of the month - a first for any Vikings special teams rookie.

2005: Ankle sprain and ACL tear during game

During a Week 13 game in 2005, Kluwe sprained his ankle and tore his ACL, but returned to play the final three games of the season.

2005: Signed with the Seahawks as undrafted free agent

In 2005, Chris Kluwe signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent after playing college football for the UCLA Bruins.

2005: Signed by the Seattle Seahawks

In 2005, Chris Kluwe was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks after the NFL draft.

2005: Graduated from UCLA

In 2005, Kluwe graduated from UCLA with a double major in political science and history.

2006: Arthroscopic surgery on knee

During the 2006 off-season, Kluwe had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair his ACL.

October 25, 2007: Signed contract extension

On October 25, 2007, Kluwe signed an $8.3-million contract extension with the Vikings through 2013, making him one of the 10 highest-paid punters in the NFL.

2007: Playing with torn meniscus

Kluwe had been playing since 2007 with a torn meniscus.

July 2008: Birth of First Daughter

In July 2008, Kluwe and his wife Isabel had their first daughter.

2008: Restricted Free Agent

Kluwe would have been a restricted free agent in the 2008 offseason before signing his extension.

2009: Brett Favre wore #4

In 2009 and 2010, quarterback Brett Favre wore number 4 which Kluwe took up in 2011.

2009: Formed Tripping Icarus

In 2009, Chris Kluwe formed the alternative/progressive metal band Tripping Icarus with friends in Minneapolis.

May 2010: Memorial Concert

In May 2010, Tripping Icarus threw a memorial concert at Minneapolis’ First Avenue after their producer died in a car accident.

December 20, 2010: Punt returned for Touchdown

On December 20, 2010, Kluwe punted the ball that Devin Hester returned for a touchdown, breaking the NFL record.

2010: Brett Favre wore #4

In 2009 and 2010, quarterback Brett Favre wore number 4 which Kluwe took up in 2011.

2010: Birth of second daughter

In 2010, Kluwe and his wife Isabel had their second daughter.

2011: Lockout tweet

During the 2011 NFL lockout, Kluwe tweeted his frustration at the impasse, assailing the greed of some top players.

2011: Changed Jersey Number

In 2011, Kluwe changed his jersey number from #5 to #4 when the Vikings acquired Donovan McNabb, who requested #5. Kluwe agreed, requesting a donation to charity, mentions of his band, and an ice cream cone.

2011: Offered Jersey Number in Exchange for Promotion

In 2011, when Donovan McNabb was traded to Minnesota, Chris Kluwe offered McNabb his number 5 jersey in exchange for mentioning Tripping Icarus in press conferences and a donation to Kluwe's charity.

September 7, 2012: Letter to Emmett Burns

On September 7, 2012, Kluwe publicly released a letter he sent to Maryland state assembly delegate Emmett Burns defending Brendon Ayanbadejo's opinions.

October 1, 2012: Letter to the editor

On October 1, 2012, Kluwe published a letter to the editor that responded to a video statement released by former Viking Matt Birk in supporting a ban on same-sex marriage.

October 25, 2012: Vikings bring in punters for workouts

After a poor performance on October 25, 2012, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Vikings brought in several punters for workouts to potentially replace Kluwe.

December 8, 2012: Featured in documentary

On December 8, 2012, Kluwe was featured in a documentary called The Last Barrier which aired on NBC Bay Area. During this interview he spoke about his feelings towards equality.

December 2012: Protest of Hall of Fame

During a December 2012 game against the Chicago Bears, Kluwe protested the Pro Football Hall of Fame's lack of pure punters by covering the patch on his uniform.

2012: Reclaimed old #5

Following McNabb's departure from the team, Kluwe reclaimed his old #5 for the 2012 season.

2012: Quit St. Paul Pioneer Press blog

In 2012, Kluwe quit his "Out of Bounds" blog on the St. Paul Pioneer Press website in protest of the paper's editorial supporting the Minnesota Marriage Amendment.

2012: Homophobic Remarks Allegations

In 2012, Kluwe stated that special teams coach Mike Priefer had made homophobic remarks.

2012: Released by Vikings

In 2012, Kluwe was released by the Minnesota Vikings after the season.

January 2013: Team signs T.J. Conley

In January 2013, the Vikings signed punter T.J. Conley to a futures contract.

January 18, 2013: Appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show

On January 18, 2013, Kluwe appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss his support of same-sex marriage, and was inducted into Ellen's Hall of Fame.

February 28, 2013: Amicus brief to Supreme Court

On February 28, 2013, Kluwe and Ayanbadejo filed an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court regarding Hollingsworth v. Perry, supporting the challenge to California Proposition 8.

April 16, 2013: Grand Marshal of Twin Cities Pride

On April 16, 2013, Kluwe was named the Grand Marshal of the 41st annual Twin Cities Pride festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

May 6, 2013: Released by Vikings

On May 6, 2013, Chris Kluwe was released by the Minnesota Vikings.

May 15, 2013: Signed with the Oakland Raiders

On May 15, 2013, Chris Kluwe signed with the Oakland Raiders.

June 25, 2013: Released "Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies"

On June 25, 2013, Chris Kluwe released his book, "Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies," a collection of essays.

2013: Retirement from NFL

In 2013, Chris Kluwe retired from professional football after being released by the Oakland Raiders and unable to find another NFL team.

2013: Contract End Date

Kluwe's contract extension, signed in 2007, was set to end in 2013.

January 2, 2014: Accusations Against Vikings

On January 2, 2014, Kluwe accused the Vikings of releasing him due to his support of same-sex marriage.

January 3, 2014: Retired from Football

On January 3, 2014, Kluwe retired from football after not playing for a year.

August 2014: Settlement with Vikings

In August 2014, Kluwe and the Vikings settled for an undisclosed donation to organizations serving LGBT causes.

2014: Spoke at American Atheists Convention

In 2014, Chris Kluwe, describing himself as "cheerfully agnostic," spoke at the American Atheists Convention despite stating he is "confused" by atheism.