The Love Boats........

[redlake]

Has anyone heard about this nonsense?

Up to 17 Minnesota Vikings over the bye week (last week) chartered two boats on Lake Minnetoka and there was prostitution, drugs, sex acts, and so on? It sounds like people were on the floor going at it like drunk monkeys and there were innocent people on the boat watching this go on!

What in the he!! are these guys thinking? I don't think the vikings can recover from this if guys get suspended. Mike Tice has to be pulling his hair out this morning. He had enough problems in the clubhouse before this happened.

Check out the star tribune for Wednesday the 13th of October.

[fishyguy]

It was all over the news and talk radio Wednesday. I am usually not surprised when athletes do something dumb or get caught up in something but this took things to a level that has not been seen since the Cowboys and their "White House" scandal. But at least the Cowboys won. I have gone on those cruises several times through work functions and the staff are just nice kids in their late teens and early 20's. I guess I will wait for the final info before being too judgemental but I gotta say, things like this really make you wonder about being a pro sports fan.

[IFallsRon]

Sounds like an extension of the winter party at Mille Lacs.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Silly me. I thought they'd take the extra time and practice. You know, cuz they suck so bad.

Guess I'm a dummy for thinking that.

[otto_man]

football players are so smart!!!

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Department is investigating allegations of criminal sexual conduct by Minnesota Vikings players after a boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka turned into an out-of-control party that included lap dances and sexual acts, an attorney for the charter boat company said Tuesday.

Stephen Doyle, a lawyer representing the owners of Al and Alma's, a company that charters cruises on the lake, said cornerback Fred Smoot and another Vikings player, whom he declined to name, reserved a charter for a night-time excursion Thursday.

"From our end, I don't know the name of the other primary person, but we turned over to the police today documents that show signatures or credit cards or whatever was associated with closing this deal," Doyle said.

A woman called Mound police Thursday night to report "possible prostitution, drugs and live sex acts" on the two boats. According to the police report, the woman said she and her brother's girlfriend served as hostesses on the boats.

Doyle said he didn't learn details of what allegedly happened until he met with six of the eight crewmembers Tuesday.

Doyle said about 90 people were on the two boats. According to a Vikings player who spoke on the condition of anonymity, about 15 Vikings players were on a charter as part of what he described as a "team event." The player said he was unaware of any sexual acts and that the cruise lasted less than 90 minutes. Doyle said he believed it to be a tradition for Vikings rookies and first-year players to take their teammates out.

Upon returning to the dock, the player said, there were no police officers present and he did not know of any problems on the boats.

Contacted Tuesday afternoon, Smoot said the allegations are exaggerated.

"It's slanderous," he said. "If (Doyle is) bringing my name up like this, I'm going to sue them. Other than that, I ain't got nothing else to say."

Asked if he was denying involvement in the alleged incidents, Smoot said, "It ain't even what they're talking about."

Doyle said further details will be released in the coming days.

"I actually have the names of about 16 or 17 other Vikings that my crew believes were on board," he said, "and a number of them they would be inclined to describe as being involved in these activities. The reason I'm holding off on this answer is two-fold.

"One is, when the particulars of this story come out, I think it's going to be perceived by most people as just horrendous. I want to be very, very careful that we not put a name out there of somebody who wasn't there because the implications, I think, will be serious. Secondly, not everyone (who) was on board (who) was a Viking participated in this. My crew members tell me there were a couple of them that kept saying, 'I'm sorry.' … There were players that were embarrassed by it."

The Vikings released a statement Tuesday night, saying, "The organization has been made aware of the allegations involving our players, and we take these allegations very seriously. We are working diligently to gather as many facts as possible. At this time, we have no further comment."

Sgt. Haans Vitek of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department said the investigation is ongoing.

"At this point, we're still trying to sort out who was there," Vitek said. "We understand there may be some Vikings personnel involved. We're not sure who they are and what they were doing."

According to Doyle, the boats were chartered from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, but pushed off about an hour late.

"They were out for a bit, and then the crew was serving drinks and hors d'oeuvres and stuff," he said. "I think the first thing they noticed was some of the women that were on board seemed to be either changing clothes or undressing. And then they went into a galley, and there were three of them in the nude that were changing clothes. That was followed by them coming out and some of them doing lap dances. … That's where it started, and then it just progressed to just bizarre."

Doyle said the crew, in accordance with company policy, reported what was happening to the captain of each boat, who called the home base and were told to return.

"Now they're still 40 minutes out, and they're getting frightened," Doyle said. "Some of the Vikings are yelling at the waiters and waitresses … and wanting drinks faster and trying to take over parts of the bar, trying to pour their own drinks. … It's just really bizarre, bad, terrible behavior.

"Like I said, these kids are petrified. They're afraid for their own safety. There are people doing sexual acts with toys in the middle of the floor. They're on a boat here, having to walk around and serve a drink, afraid to stop serving drinks because they're afraid that people will hurt them. It's just really unacceptable what they did - the arrogance and the rudeness and all of those things combined.

"They get them into the dock and eventually get off the boat. We're talking about a scene with used condoms on the boats laying around, handy wipes used by the women laying around, drinks thrown and poured in places. It's amazing."

Doyle said he was busy with media interviews Tuesday and hadn't provided the names of any Vikings players to police, but was trying to set up a meeting with them today.

He also said he placed a number of calls to the Vikings' offices but didn't receive a reply.

An NFL spokesman declined to comment on the allegations against Vikings players, but the league's personal conduct policy clearly states that league employees can be subject to discipline.

"Engaging in violent and/or criminal activity is unacceptable and constitutes conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League," the policy summary reads. "Such conduct alienates the fans on whom the success of the league depends and has negative and sometimes tragic consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator."

People charged or arrested with conduct prohibited by this policy will be "required to undergo a clinical evaluation and, if appropriate, additional counseling or treatment as directed."

Failure to comply with evaluation and counseling obligations could be considered conduct detrimental to the NFL, punishable by "fine or suspension at the discretion of the commissioner."

Don Seeholzer and Sean Jensen cover the Vikings and the NFL.

[96trigger]

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I am sick of the Vikings, I was a huge fan, I've coached football and loved it, played football and loved it. These guys are all Losers, they are taking all the joy out of watching a hometown team. How can we cheer on somebody who is making a mockery out of state and its people. This whole boat thing just threw a huge wrench into the stadium proposal. Whould you want these @#!@#^ coming into your community where your sons or daughters worked. Not a chance. These guys are just (Contact US Regarding This Word), Zygi needs to clean house, and clean house now, he might as well play the second and third string people, can they do any worse?

[hanson]

I posted this in the "Pro-Sports Who Cares?" thread a litte while back.

Quote:

---

Sorry for the rumblings but I think there is way too much emphasis placed on pro sports in our society today. You mentioned these pro athletes being your role models. Look at some of the 'role models' our younger generation is looking up to now! Cripes! A bunch of self-centered, egotistical, whiny, overpaid, I play when I want to play athletes. I don't ever want to here what T.O.'s endzone dance was this week ever again!

Its the NFL meets WWF.

---

I guess I can now add a few more choice descriptions to that now.

Honestly. I don't care if Minnesota has a professional football team. Move the team, sell the team. I don't care!! We won't have to worry about a stadium anymore. I think with their latest actions, they just convinced the entire population of the state of Minnesota to vote No if there is ever a stadium referendum on the table.

I challenge somebody to come up with a list of Viking player's arrests & wrongdoings within the last few years.

The Star Tribune had 5 separate incidents listed for 2005. Add in Randy Mosses incidents, some of the other players DUI's and domestic assaults, and the Arctic Blast up at Mille Lacs and you have quite the list going.

Role Models, eh?

[buzzsaw]

I'll get banned from this site if I say whats really on my mind!! Very dissapointed in these overpaid athletes! I'm going to follow Gopher Hockey this fall like every other fall and forget about the purple.

[Stratosman]

McKinnie and that other fat O-line rookie getting in trouble at Bobby and Steves not to long ago... It just goes to show how Tice has lost control over this team and should be to blame for a portion of their off the field antics.

[Hockey Guy]

I agree with all you guys. This would be a great time for Ziggy to show this state what he's made of and take some serious action! But, Deep down, aren't we all just upset because stuff like this never happens in our boats?! HA!

[james_walleye]

Its all Randys fault, hes the trouble maker. Hes the real problem.

[muskybuck]

Hey buzzsaw, it really isn't so hard rooten for da Packers.

It took me about three years after moving to WI from MN to actually start liking the Pack but Brett Favre finally got me when I saw the way he could take a beating, crawl to his feet, and then throw a touchdown the next play.

Besides, it is a pretty class act organization.

I remember saying finally, that's it, I'm rooten for the Packers.

[Mark Christianson]

The continued antics of our vikes that just push me further away, and to be outside enjoying the outdoors in the fall instead of patronizing these (Contact US Regarding This Word).

[hanson]

I'm not sure if I'll ever start rooting for the Packers but I will give ya the fact that Brett Favre is a class act. I know he's struggled with a few things in life but he still shows up to play.

I hope the Gophers continue to play as well as they have been 'cause I've been on the bandwagon all year now.

[Down to Earth]

Mark Chumara didn't have anything to do with it did he?

[otto_man]

James Walleye, that's perfect!

[buzzsaw]

The Vikes new theme song:

(To the Theme from Gilligans Island)

Come sit right back and you'll hear a tale

A tale of a fateful trip

That started from a small lake town

Aboard two tiny ships

The mates were a bunch of pole dancers

But the wait staff was too pure

The Vikings team set sail that day

For a three hour tour, a three hour tour

The action started getting hot

The dancers strutted their stuff

If not for the prudes in the fearless crew

There wouldn't have been such a huff

The boats turned around and went back home

The authorities came aboard

But fear not friends, 'cause all's not lost

The Vikings finally scored!!

[mnvikingsfreak]

LOL good one buzz!

[fishin58]

That is a great song, maybe espn will get it jk KOBE Bryant case #2 I think that i do believe a lot of these guys, that they didn't do anything or that it was consensual these girls are prolly just out for the money. It was not right but they are just guys and most guys do their thinking with their smaller head.

[fishpepin]

I guess I more agree with you Fishin58. Haven't any of you guys been to stag parties, bachelor parties, etc. where things have gotten out of hand. That doesn't make it right, but I think it is more wrong to castigate a whole organization. When you are on a boat, you don't have the option to just leave. The blame may be as much on the charter boat for allowing it to start.

[DTro]

ya know, I thought KFAN was drummin up phonys to defend these "guys", but I guess they DO exist ^^^see above

You've got to be kidding me with the "guys will be guys" stuff, and to blame the boat company in any way is pitiful.

I have been a life long fan, but this is the last straw.

The Culpepper jersey that now hangs is my closet will show itself one more time in public (more on that to come, trust me you'll love it ).

I guess I can thank them for all the Sunday hours they have just given back to me.

[russ]

It's not surprising. Some players have no idea what respect and class are. For them it's all about ME. How did I look on that play, and did everyone see what I did? I'm so good I cant'stand myself attitudes. If they would lose the Thug mentality they'd get some respect. And what right does a rookie just out of college have to hold out for more money. (agents!) Just a bunch of classless over paid children. And I used to look forward to Sudays. OK I'm done, sorry. ):

[mnvikingsfreak]

does anybody think they will have the artic blast outing this year after this deal?

[snowman678]

For those that are saying it's guys being guys, what about the girls working on the boat, meaning the waitresses & bussers? I have been to stag parties that have gotten wild, but they were in a private setting, and all participants were willing, but that was not the case here, and that's the problem I have with it. We are most likely talking about 18-20 something girls trying to make money for school or something and these guys are going at it right in front of them & trying to get them to join in, I don't care who you are, that's not right. I don't care if they want to have strippers over doing whatever they want (in a private setting), just don't do it in public and subject innocent people to it. I'll step off my soapbox now.

[Lip RIPPER!]

Does anyone know if they caught any fish?