Former NFL player blasts Walz after deadly attack on lawmakers
Former Minnesota Vikings player Jack Brewer has unleashed a scathing critique of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following the tragic shootings of state lawmakers that left one representative and her husband dead.
According to the New York Post, Brewer blamed Walz for allowing Minnesota to become what he called "the capital of chaos" in America. The shootings, which occurred early Saturday morning, resulted in the death of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband while leaving Senator John Hoffman and his wife seriously injured.
Law enforcement has identified 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as the suspect in the shootings. In a disturbing revelation, Boelter was previously appointed to Minnesota's Workforce Development Board by Governor Walz in 2019, following an initial appointment by former Governor Mark Dayton in 2016.
Former Player Laments State's Transformation
Brewer, who played for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers before starting his NFL career with the Vikings in 2002, expressed deep concern over changes he's witnessed in his former home state.
"I played for the Vikings. I played for the Gophers. I lived in Minnesota for years. It was not like this," Brewer told Fox News Digital in the wake of the shootings. "People were respectful. People could disagree and still have conversations."
The former NFL player described feeling heartbroken by what he perceives as a dramatic shift in the state's culture and safety. He emphasized that the current situation doesn't reflect the "true people of Minnesota," suggesting instead that "the liberal hub around Minneapolis and St. Paul has taken over."
Suspect's Disturbing Political Connections
Authorities report that Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer when he attacked Senator Hoffman and his wife in their Champlin home before proceeding to Hortman's residence.
Boelter, who holds a Ph.D. in leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, served on the state's Workforce Development Board until his term expired in 2023. His appointment by Walz has raised questions about the vetting process for government positions.
Governor Walz described the attacks as a "politically motivated assassination" when speaking to reporters, though reportedly did not mention that the suspect was his own appointee. The governor's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the New York Post.
Brewer Calls For Return To Traditional Values
On Father's Day, Brewer connected the violence to what he perceives as a broader cultural decline, specifically targeting Walz's leadership style.
"On this Father's Day, I wish Minnesota would focus on restoring fatherhood — protecting women, protecting families," Brewer stated. "Tim Walz is the example of a weak, emasculated leader. That is not what God made fathers to be. It's pathetic."
Brewer further claimed that Democrats have moved too far left politically, creating an environment where those who don't conform face attacks. He suggested this extremism has dangerous consequences.
Why This Story Matters
This case underscores a growing concern about politically motivated violence, particularly in regions traditionally seen as safe. The loss of respected public servants has rocked Minnesota’s political landscape and raised questions about community safety. It also highlights the vulnerability of public officials who work in service to the state but may face threats from within their communities. Ensuring their protection is essential to maintaining a civil society. The story serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance, unity, and responsibility both in leadership and within neighborhoods across the nation.
Conclusion
A horrific act unfolded in Champlin, Minnesota, as former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, and Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were critically injured in an alleged politically driven attack. The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, once a member of a state workforce board, is accused of posing as a police officer during the shooting.
The incident sparked an outcry from former NFL player Jack Brewer, who denounced Minnesota’s leadership as fostering chaos and called for a cultural reexamination. While law enforcement continues its search for Boelter, the state contends with the grief and political implications of a deadly tragedy.