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.
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
2005: Graduated from UCLA
In 2005, Kluwe graduated from UCLA with a double major in political science and history.
Share
2006: Arthroscopic surgery on knee
During the 2006 off-season, Kluwe had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair his ACL.
Share
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.
Share
2007: Playing with torn meniscus
Kluwe had been playing since 2007 with a torn meniscus.
Share
July 2008: Birth of First Daughter
In July 2008, Kluwe and his wife Isabel had their first daughter.
Share
2008: Restricted Free Agent
Kluwe would have been a restricted free agent in the 2008 offseason before signing his extension.
Share
2009: Brett Favre wore #4
In 2009 and 2010, quarterback Brett Favre wore number 4 which Kluwe took up in 2011.
Share
2009: Formed Tripping Icarus
In 2009, Chris Kluwe formed the alternative/progressive metal band Tripping Icarus with friends in Minneapolis.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
2010: Brett Favre wore #4
In 2009 and 2010, quarterback Brett Favre wore number 4 which Kluwe took up in 2011.
Share
2010: Birth of second daughter
In 2010, Kluwe and his wife Isabel had their second daughter.
Share
2011: Lockout tweet
During the 2011 NFL lockout, Kluwe tweeted his frustration at the impasse, assailing the greed of some top players.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
2012: Reclaimed old #5
Following McNabb's departure from the team, Kluwe reclaimed his old #5 for the 2012 season.
Share
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.
Share
2012: Homophobic Remarks Allegations
In 2012, Kluwe stated that special teams coach Mike Priefer had made homophobic remarks.
Share
2012: Released by Vikings
In 2012, Kluwe was released by the Minnesota Vikings after the season.
Share
January 2013: Team signs T.J. Conley
In January 2013, the Vikings signed punter T.J. Conley to a futures contract.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
May 6, 2013: Released by Vikings
On May 6, 2013, Chris Kluwe was released by the Minnesota Vikings.
Share
May 15, 2013: Signed with the Oakland Raiders
On May 15, 2013, Chris Kluwe signed with the Oakland Raiders.
Share
June 25, 2013: Released "Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies"
On June 25, 2013, Chris Kluwe released his book, "Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies," a collection of essays.
Share
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.
Share
2013: Contract End Date
Kluwe's contract extension, signed in 2007, was set to end in 2013.
Share
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.
Share
January 3, 2014: Retired from Football
On January 3, 2014, Kluwe retired from football after not playing for a year.
Share
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.
Share
August 31, 2017: Released Twilight of the Gods
On August 31, 2017, Chris Kluwe released his first tabletop game called Twilight of the Gods, published by Victory Point Games.
Share
2017: Hired as Special Teams Coach
In 2017, Chris Kluwe was hired as the Special Teams Coach at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California.
Share
March 2020: Published Otaku
In March 2020, Chris Kluwe's first solo novel, Otaku, was published by Tor.
Share
2024: Contributed to Kobold Guide to Roleplaying
In 2024, Chris Kluwe contributed a chapter titled "Preparation and Performance" to the book Kobold Guide to Roleplaying.
Share
February 18, 2025: Arrested at city council meeting
On February 18, 2025, Kluwe was arrested at a Huntington Beach city council meeting for protesting a MAGA plaque.
Share