Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer will be reinstated from his suspension today, Minnesota announced on Sunday night.
Priefer was originally suspended for three games, but the suspensions was reduced to only two games because Priefer completed “anti-harassment, diversity and sexual orientation training,” according to a statement from the Vikings.
He was suspended because of his anti-gay comments aimed toward former punter Chris Kluwe, who is a gay rights activist. Priefer initially denied and then admitted to suggesting that “We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows.”
Priefer’s absence was obvious Sunday against New England. Not only did the Vikings have a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, but they also had only nine guys on the field while receiving a punt in the second half.
Interim special teams coach Joe Marciano filled in for the first two weeks of the season.