Chris Kluwe lends voice to pro-gay rights Minnesotans for Equality radio ads

Vikings punter Chris Kluwe and his wife Isabel and daughters Remy, 2, in October, and Olivia, 4, on July 2.

Chris Kluwe announced he is "proud to be a Minnesota football player" who is against the proposed same-sex marriage ban coming before voters this November.

The outspoken Vikings punter recently took part in three radio ads for Minnesotans for Equality, opposing the Minnesota Marriage Amendment that would amend the state constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

Kluwe, 30, told Outsports.com the organization asked him to take part in the ads through his Twitter account. His @chriswarcraft handle was voted the best in Minneapolis by City Pages.

"I said yes," Kluwe said. "I've always believed that people are inherently the same and should have the same rights and equal protection under the law. It really doesn't matter what you do with who or whom as long as you're not infringing on someone else's rights."

The seven-year NFL veteran helped write some of the ads, including this 30-second piece:



"I wanted to make sure it was something that would resonate with people," Kluwe said. "I don't think a lot of people realize that family is family. It doesn't matter who you are."

Kluwe, married father of two, has a brother-in-law who is gay and unable to wed his partner because it is illegal in California.

However, Kluwe said he would still take part in the activism even if he wasn't personally affected.

"I would like to think I have a pretty strong sense of justice and right and wrong," Kluwe said. "[The proposed marriage amendment] is just blatant discrimination and that's not right, that's wrong."

Previous Kluwe coverage:
-- Chris Kluwe blasts Saints for Bountygate scandal [Q&A]
-- Vikings punter and bassist Chris Kluwe talks about balancing music and football