Chris Kluwe, a former NFL punter, has been let go from his coaching position at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California, following his public criticism of the MAGA movement and subsequent arrest during a city council meeting.
Kluwe, who played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2005 to 2012, had been a part of Edison High’s freshman football coaching staff since 2018 or 2019. The decision to terminate his employment came just days after his arrest at a city council meeting on February 18, where he referred to MAGA as “a Nazi movement” while protesting a proposed plaque at the public library bearing the slogan “Make America Great Again.”
In a conversation with USA TODAY Sports, Kluwe, 43, recounted the meeting with Edison’s athletic director, Rich Boyce, and vice principal of supervision, Ed Begany.
“The first thing Ed said was, ‘Hey, the school’s just getting too much attention, and we’re going to have to let you go,’” Kluwe explained. “They offered me the chance to resign, but I refused because I wanted the community to see what happens when you stand against MAGA. They take resources away from the community just to protect their image.”
Kluwe expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the difficulty the school might face in finding another former NFL player to coach freshman football.
When questioned, Boyce described the situation as a personnel matter and referred inquiries to the Huntington Beach Union School District, which has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Kluwe’s arrest occurred during what he called an act of “civil obedience” at the council meeting, where his protest against the MAGA plaque drew significant public attention. The incident went viral online, further amplifying the controversy.
Despite the high-profile nature of his dismissal, Kluwe described the meeting with school officials as respectful. “It was a cordial conversation,” he said. “They mentioned they’d received messages both supporting and opposing me, but ultimately, they said the attention on the school was too much to handle.”
While Kluwe’s termination has sparked debate within the community, he remains steadfast in his stance. “This is what MAGA does,” he said. “They silence people to avoid accountability. But I won’t be quiet.”