Browner, in Contract Dispute, Says Viking General Manager Is Racist

Joey Browner, an All-Pro safety who said last week that Mike Lynn, Minnesota Viking general manager, is racially motivated when he negotiates contracts, said Monday that Lynn is a racist and “money don’t have nothing to do with it.”

In an ESPN interview aired Sunday, Browner was asked if he believes his being black is a reason he has not received the $1-million contract he is seeking.

“Yes, I believe so, but I don’t want to come out and say it because they might use it against me,” he said. “It is here, but they may try and use it against me and blackball me.”

Lynn declined to comment on Browner’s latest statements, but he said at a news conference after Sunday’s 17-3 victory over Tampa Bay: “Let me say this--there is no black-and-white problem on this team. There may be a green problem. I’m talking about the color of money. I’ve been accused of being fiscally responsible. If there is any racism on this team, I don’t know of any.”

Browner reiterated Monday that he believes Lynn is a racist, but he refused to give any examples or proof.

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it, so I’ll have to live with it,” said Browner, who is seeking to nearly triple his $350,000 salary.

Browner said even if he receives the contract he is seeking, he will not change his stance.

“I don’t care what can be done,” Browner said. “It’s still there. I’m not backing down.”

Viking Coach Jerry Burns said: “I have never seen anything relative to racism. I don’t think there is a problem. I don’t even know it exists.”