Dutabi84
10-12-2005, 04:33 PM
Minnesota Vikings players are being investigated in connection with a lake cruise that turned into a wild sex party last week on Lake Minnetonka. The party became so out of control that crew members on the two yachts were offered money for sex and feared for their safety, law enforcement authorities and an attorney for the cruise company said Tuesday.
Head coach Mike Tice told reporters today that he's not happy about the allegations, while refusing to comment or confirm any details.
"I fashion these young men as an extension of my family," Tice said. "So as a father and a family man, you can probably sense how I feel."
The accusations come on the heels of a two-day retreat in which a code of conduct was at the forefront, the team is "on the same page" when it comes to standards for player conduct. He said he had discussed the allegations with team owner Zygi Wilf this morning.
"Incidents like these can either blow a team apart or pull a team together. It's my job to pull the team together," Tice said. "Obviously, our job is to get ready for Chicago and allegations like these don't make it any simpler."
Tice also said he has struggled with disciplinary measures in the past. "There have been instances in the past where I feel like my hands have been tied by contracts or union guidelines," he said. But he reminded reporters that the allegations were as yet unproven.
Tice said nothing specific about how many players were involved in the cruise, or who they were.
Quarterback Daunte Culpepper also would not comment on the allegations today.
"If you're not going to ask me a question about the Chicago Bears, then don't ask," Culpepper told reporters at Winter Park. "Playing in the NFL is tough enough without any distractions."
The Vikings are tied with the Bears for second place in the NFC North. The teams play Sunday at Soldier Field.
The excursion Thursday on two yachts owned by Al & Alma's Supper Club and Charter Cruises in Mound was organized by first-year Vikings safety Fred Smoot and possibly two other players, according to Stephen Doyle, the company's attorney.
At least 17 Vikings players have been identified as being on the yachts, he said. It was unclear how many were involved in sex-related activities.
At least 90 people were on the two yachts. The boats were ordered to return to shore just 40 minutes into what had been planned as a 3½-hour cruise after supervisors learned of the alleged behavior.
The crew members, including one who was 18, were "petrified" for their safety, Doyle said.
"The behavior was terrible," he said. "Vikings were absolutely participating. This was not a passive event for them. It was outrageous."
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case, after the boat company notified authorities about the players' alleged behavior.
No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed.
The incident took place during the team's bye week; the Vikings didn't play Sunday.
Late Tuesday, Vikings officials issued a statement: "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."
Attempts to reach Smoot and his agent were unsuccessful.
Doyle said behavior on the cruise included oral sex, masturbation and playing with sex toys.
A source with direct knowledge of the case said Tuesday that accounts of Vikings players having public sex on at least one of the boats matched with what witnesses had reported.
The source said that it appeared that the sex acts took place between consenting adults and that no felony-level crimes had been committed. The source said that it was likely that misdemeanor charges involving lewd behavior could be filed against some players within a week.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/5663357.html
Head coach Mike Tice told reporters today that he's not happy about the allegations, while refusing to comment or confirm any details.
"I fashion these young men as an extension of my family," Tice said. "So as a father and a family man, you can probably sense how I feel."
The accusations come on the heels of a two-day retreat in which a code of conduct was at the forefront, the team is "on the same page" when it comes to standards for player conduct. He said he had discussed the allegations with team owner Zygi Wilf this morning.
"Incidents like these can either blow a team apart or pull a team together. It's my job to pull the team together," Tice said. "Obviously, our job is to get ready for Chicago and allegations like these don't make it any simpler."
Tice also said he has struggled with disciplinary measures in the past. "There have been instances in the past where I feel like my hands have been tied by contracts or union guidelines," he said. But he reminded reporters that the allegations were as yet unproven.
Tice said nothing specific about how many players were involved in the cruise, or who they were.
Quarterback Daunte Culpepper also would not comment on the allegations today.
"If you're not going to ask me a question about the Chicago Bears, then don't ask," Culpepper told reporters at Winter Park. "Playing in the NFL is tough enough without any distractions."
The Vikings are tied with the Bears for second place in the NFC North. The teams play Sunday at Soldier Field.
The excursion Thursday on two yachts owned by Al & Alma's Supper Club and Charter Cruises in Mound was organized by first-year Vikings safety Fred Smoot and possibly two other players, according to Stephen Doyle, the company's attorney.
At least 17 Vikings players have been identified as being on the yachts, he said. It was unclear how many were involved in sex-related activities.
At least 90 people were on the two yachts. The boats were ordered to return to shore just 40 minutes into what had been planned as a 3½-hour cruise after supervisors learned of the alleged behavior.
The crew members, including one who was 18, were "petrified" for their safety, Doyle said.
"The behavior was terrible," he said. "Vikings were absolutely participating. This was not a passive event for them. It was outrageous."
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case, after the boat company notified authorities about the players' alleged behavior.
No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed.
The incident took place during the team's bye week; the Vikings didn't play Sunday.
Late Tuesday, Vikings officials issued a statement: "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."
Attempts to reach Smoot and his agent were unsuccessful.
Doyle said behavior on the cruise included oral sex, masturbation and playing with sex toys.
A source with direct knowledge of the case said Tuesday that accounts of Vikings players having public sex on at least one of the boats matched with what witnesses had reported.
The source said that it appeared that the sex acts took place between consenting adults and that no felony-level crimes had been committed. The source said that it was likely that misdemeanor charges involving lewd behavior could be filed against some players within a week.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/5663357.html