Minnesota Vikings announcer Paul Allen found himself in hot water over the weekend.
As protests continued throughout Minneapolis against the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the city, Allen appeared to attempt to make an ill-timed joke on his radio show.
Allen hosts a sports radio program from nine to noon on KFAN FM 100.3, and on his Friday show, he referenced "paid protesters" in a discussion around NFL coaching hires and the freezing weather in the area. As a result, Allen faced pushback for his comments, leading him to take a few days off from his show this week.
Here's why Paul Allen had to apologize for his comments on Friday.
MORE: Sports world speaks out against the ICE shootings
What did Paul Allen say?
On Friday, Allen and former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway were discussing the cold weather in Minnesota when Allen attempted to make a joke regarding the protesters in Minnesota over the past week.
"In conditions like this, do paid protesters get hazard pay?" Allen said. "Those are the things that I've been thinking about this morning."
Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen pushed the paid-protester conspiracy during Friday's episode of his radio show (https://t.co/b4lydpKLV7)
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 24, 2026
"In conditions like this, do paid protesters get hazard pay? Those are the things that I've been thinking about this… pic.twitter.com/mE6SHAanaf
When the discussion turned to NFL coaching hires, Allen brought up the idea of "paid protesters" once again.
"Everybody's catching strays this week," Allen said. "Flores, Kevin Stefanski from Baker, Charlie 'Biyatch' caught one out of nowhere. They're just all over, paid protesters caught one this morning."
Over the weekend, there was another tragic incident in the Minneapolis protests, as ICE fatally shot Alex Pretti. Then, on Monday, Allen apologized for the comments he made regarding the protesters and said he would take a brief leave of absence from his show.
"I made a comment on-air Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed and I'm sorry," he said. "It was a misguided attempt at humor and while it was never meant with any ill-intent or political affront, I absolutely and wholeheartedly want to apologize to those who genuinely were hurt or offended by it...My best was lacking Friday, and for that I am sorry. I am taking a few days off, wanted to express these thoughts and my sincere apology with you before I do."
Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen opened Monday’s radio show with a statement apologizing for his "paid protester" comments last week, before announcing he’s "taking a few days off." Pic.twitter.com/hAVy7FUDMS
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 26, 2026
Paul Allen leave of absence
Vikings announcer and KFAN radio host Paul Allen announced he would take a leave of absence from his radio show this week. Allen said his time off would last a "few days," while Paul Charchian filled in for Allen on Monday morning.
Allen did not announce when he will return to his show.