Updated Jan. 26, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
In the face of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) dangerous and unmoored occupation of Minneapolis this month — which has led to the high-profile shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti — now is not the time to question or joke about a community’s physical and moral courage in demanding justice.
Someone did not pass along this memo to Minnesota Vikings radio announcer Paul Allen last Friday morning.
While discussing the frigid Minneapolis weather that has also engulfed much of the United States, Allen took this opportunity to joke about whether “paid protestors get hazard pay” in such fraught conditions. It was a clear reference to ongoing public demonstrations against ICE in Minneapolis, especially last Friday’s general strike, which attracted thousands of people in Minnesota’s largest city.
Allen didn’t stop with the one insensitive joke, however. He doubled down on his tasteless questioning of regular, everyday people trying to protect each other in the best way they know how during what should have been anodyne commentary about this year’s NFL head coach hiring cycle.
“Everybody’s catching strays this week,” Allen said. “[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.”
For additional context, accusing demonstrations like the one in Minneapolis involving “paid protestors” is one of the Donald Trump presidential administration’s favorite methods of downplaying genuine public agitation and frustration with its agenda. Needless to say, it’s a crude assessment to throw out there on a public platform as a U.S. government agency shoots two people who showed no signs of violent resistance and continues to accost many more.
Allen addressed his comments at the start of his show on Monday after receiving backlash. He retracted the ill-timed and misguided “paid protestor” assertions and announced that he would be taking some time off (it’s unclear if that time off is voluntary).
“I made a comment on-air Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed and I’m sorry,” Allen 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.”
At the time of this writing, it’s unclear when Allen will return to his show.
