Longtime NFL announcer Paul Allen is stepping away amid his controversy.
Allen, a longtime NFL announcer for the Minnesota Vikings, sparked controversy with his comments on the Minnesota protestors last week. Allen joked that the protestors in Minnesota are probably getting paid more money due to the cold weather. The longtime NFL announcer was referencing the longstanding conspiracy theories that many protestors are actually paid by bigger corporations and organizations.
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“In conditions like this, do paid protesters get hazard pay?” he told his co-hosts on Friday’s episode of “The Paul Allen Show.”
He later added: “Everybody’s catching strays this week. [Brian] Flores, Kevin Stefanski from Baker [Mayfield], Charlie ‘Biyatch’ caught one out of nowhere. They’re just all over, paid protesters caught one this morning.”
Allen, a longstanding announcer, is now under fire.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 17: The Jumbotron gives a crowd noise decibel reading of 118.3 during a game between the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings on November 17, 2019 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
(Icon Sportswire/Getty Images)
Allen has since apologized.
“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. Nine-to-noon doesn’t formulate political opinions. We don’t bash or praise political discussions or even focus on political issues.”
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The longtime NFL announcer is now stepping away
Allen has since announced that he will be taking some time off from his show. It’s unclear when he will be returning.
“My best was lacking Friday, and for that I am sorry,” Allen continued. “I am taking a few days off, wanted to express these thoughts and my sincere apology with you before I do.”
Longtime KFAN contributor Paul Charchian hosted the rest of the show on Monday morning, according to Awful Announcing.
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It’s unclear at this time when Allen will return.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Jan 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.