2005 Minnesota Vikings boat cruise scandal
Encyclopedia
An alleged sex party
occurred on October 6, 2005 on Lake Minnetonka
with seventeen key members of the Minnesota Vikings
football team; including quarterback Daunte Culpepper
, Fred Smoot
, Mewelde Moore
, Pat Williams, Bryant McKinnie
, Nate Burleson
, Ralph Brown
, Troy Williamson
, Travis Taylor, Kevin Williams, Jermaine Wiggins
, Lance Johnstone
, Moe Williams
, Ken Irvin
and Willie Offord
. Two houseboats were rented and some, but not all of the players performed sexual acts in front of crew members. Prostitutes from Atlanta
and Florida
were flown in for the party, in order to perform the sex acts. There were apparently ninety people on the two boats. An anonymous former player of the Minnesota Vikings claimed that this is not the first time that such an incident had happened. The scandal has sometimes been referred to as the Love Boat scandal after the television program
, or as the Smoot Boat Scandal in the news.
Allegedly, photographs were taken at the party showing people engaging in sexual intercourse. As of December 2005, four of the players have been charged with misdemeanors related to the events (see below).
", according to the transcript.
The woman later mentioned that the men were "sitting at Al and Alma's", the name of the charter cruise company that the Vikings players were later alleged to have used for the party.
Stephen Doyle, attorney for the charter company, said some of the sex acts alleged by witnesses to have taken place during the party included, "Masturbation
, oral sex
, anal sex
, woman on man
, woman on woman, man on man, toys, double penetration, middle of the floor, middle of the couches, middle of the room."
The cleaning crew reported finding "used condom
s, K-Y Jelly
, Handi Wipes, wrappers for sex toy
s" and said "it was just incredible how it was left. Never in the history of this group of people have they ever had anything like this.'"
According to Doyle, there were no drugs
and no minor
s on the two boats and that not every Vikings player aboard acted inappropriately.
and inserted it into the vagina
s of two women who were lying on the floor in the lounge area. After one woman left he continued to "manipulate the dildo" inside the other woman in front of the young crew.
Merritt Geyen, who worked at the docks, told a sheriff's detective that three men planned the charter boat cruises. The day before the party, Geyen told the detective, Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot showed up with another man she did not recognize.
Robinson says "I wasn't there, as far as the whole situation, I just know I wasn't on the boat, and I don't want to get involved. I don't want my name brought up because of what I just went through and what I'm still going through. So for my name to be brought up like that is just crazy and upsetting, because I don't want anyone looking at me because I had nothing to do with it."
on her in front of the crew and other guests. Later that evening McKinnie and three other men were spotted sitting in deck chairs receiving fellatio
from four women, which was also observed by the crew in a public area of the boat. When asked, McKinnie said, "I'm upset my name is on the list, but I'm going to let my lawyer handle that."
.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Tice
echoed the calls of Wilf, but wouldn't go as far as endorsing Wilf's view on punishment. He instead said that if any players were found in the police investigation to have acted inappropriately or criminally he would definitely take action.
The Vikings created a 77 page Code of Conduct
and distributed it to all the players. They also hired a former FBI agent and NFL investigator as head of security (a position that had been eliminated for several years) to help keep the players out of trouble, and contracted the help of a private security firm.
On December 15, 2005, Culpepper, McKinnie, Smoot and Moe Williams were charged with indecent conduct, disorderly conduct and lewd or lascivious conduct. If convicted, each player faces a maximum of 90 days in jail on each count. All players pleaded not guilty on January 6, 2006.
Charges against Culpepper were dropped in April 2006.
Williams was found guilty on a count of disorderly conduct but was cleared on charges of indecent conduct, and lewd or lascivious behavior; he was fined $300 and ordered to perform 30 hours of community service.
On May 26, 2006, Fred Smoot and Bryant McKinnie pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The two will pay a $1,000 fine and perform 48 hours of community service, they also had 30-day jail sentences stayed for a year. Smoot and McKinnie also pleaded guilty to being a public nuisance on a watercraft, but that will be permanently removed from their records if they remain law abiding for the next year.
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said the two players, in addition to their required community service, would participate in numerous service events over the next season. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said fines are likely, declining to say for how much or how long the process will take. He said the players won't be suspended. Because Smoot and McKinnie are being disciplined by the league, the Vikings are precluded by the NFL's labor agreement from imposing their own discipline.
In September 2006, the NFL imposed a one game check fine for both Smoot and McKinnie. Game checks represent 1/17th of a player's base salary, so Smoot's fine was $82,352 and McKinnie's was $41,176. They did not receive a suspension. A day after the fine was levied, McKinnie was given a raise and a seven year extension of his contract worth $48 million. Coach Brad Childress
said of their 2002 draft 7th overall pick, "when you have a good tackle like that, particularly a left tackle, you have to try to keep those guys around. They just don't grow on trees, and he's one of the better ones in this league."
Another area sports team took a jab at the incident as well. On May 27, 2006, the St. Paul Saints
, an independent minor league baseball
team noted for its over-the-top promotions, gave away rubber boats to fans, ostensibly to honor the 30th anniversary of the TV series The Love Boat
. However, details of the boats made it obvious that the Saints intended to parody the incident. Each boat was yellow with purple trim (the Vikings team colors); the bridge was designed to evoke the stereotypical Viking helmet; and the boats bore the name Minnetonka Queen, a reference to the lake.
Carolina Panthers
wide receiver
Steve Smith made fun of the scandal in a game against the Vikings, by pretending to row a boat in the end zone.
Sex party
A sex party is a gathering at which sexual activity takes place. Sex parties may be organized to enable people to engage in casual sexual activity or for swinging couples or people interested in group sex to meet, but any gathering where sexual activity is anticipated can be called a sex party.Sex...
occurred on October 6, 2005 on Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka is a lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Throughout its recorded history, the lake has been a resort destination. It is located west-southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The lake is an irregular shape with numerous bays and islands which make up about of shoreline...
with seventeen key members of the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
football team; including quarterback Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Culpepper
Daunte Rachard Culpepper is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He last played for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League . Prior to joining the UFL, Culpepper enjoyed a successful National Football League career after being drafted 11th overall in...
, Fred Smoot
Fred Smoot
Fredrick "Fred" Duayne Smoot is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, Mewelde Moore
Mewelde Moore
Mewelde Jaem Cadere Moore is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, Pat Williams, Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie
Bryant McKinnie is a American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, Nate Burleson
Nate Burleson
Nathaniel Burleson is an American football player, who currently plays wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . Burleson played college football for the University of Nevada Wolf Pack, and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2003 NFL...
, Ralph Brown
Ralph Brown (American football)
Ralph Davis Brown II is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He has played with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals....
, Troy Williamson
Troy Williamson
-Minnesota Vikings:The Vikings needed a receiver with deep speed after trading Randy Moss to Oakland, drafting Williamson with the 7th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft...
, Travis Taylor, Kevin Williams, Jermaine Wiggins
Jermaine Wiggins
Jermaine Wiggins is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football at Georgia....
, Lance Johnstone
Lance Johnstone
Lance Johnstone is a former American football defensive end. He was a four-year letterman for Temple University, playing his final three seasons at linebacker and serving as team captain in 1994 and 1995...
, Moe Williams
Moe Williams
Maurece Jabari "Moe" Williams is a former American football running back in the National Football League . He formerly played for the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens...
, Ken Irvin
Ken Irvin
Kenneth Pernell Irvin is a former American football defensive back who played for ten seasons in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at the University of Memphis.Ken Irvin is currently the defensive backs coach at Pepperell High...
and Willie Offord
Willie Offord
Willie C. Offord is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League . Willie Offord retired in 2007 due to injury.-Playing career:...
. Two houseboats were rented and some, but not all of the players performed sexual acts in front of crew members. Prostitutes from Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
were flown in for the party, in order to perform the sex acts. There were apparently ninety people on the two boats. An anonymous former player of the Minnesota Vikings claimed that this is not the first time that such an incident had happened. The scandal has sometimes been referred to as the Love Boat scandal after the television program
The Love Boat
The Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
, or as the Smoot Boat Scandal in the news.
Allegedly, photographs were taken at the party showing people engaging in sexual intercourse. As of December 2005, four of the players have been charged with misdemeanors related to the events (see below).
The incident
A woman called police around 9:20 p.m. on October 6 to report that approximately "seven black men" had urinated in her yard after exiting a "big shuttle bus limousineLimousine
A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
", according to the transcript.
The woman later mentioned that the men were "sitting at Al and Alma's", the name of the charter cruise company that the Vikings players were later alleged to have used for the party.
Stephen Doyle, attorney for the charter company, said some of the sex acts alleged by witnesses to have taken place during the party included, "Masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
, oral sex
Oral sex
Oral sex is sexual activity involving the stimulation of the genitalia of a sex partner by the use of the mouth, tongue, teeth or throat. Cunnilingus refers to oral sex performed on females while fellatio refer to oral sex performed on males. Anilingus refers to oral stimulation of a person's anus...
, anal sex
Anal sex
Anal sex is the sex act in which the penis is inserted into the anus of a sexual partner. The term can also include other sexual acts involving the anus, including pegging, anilingus , fingering, and object insertion.Common misconception describes anal sex as practiced almost exclusively by gay men...
, woman on man
Snowballing (sexual practice)
Snowballing or snowdropping is the human sexual practice in which one person takes another person's semen into his or her mouth and then passes it back to the mouth of the other, usually through kissing.The term was originally used only by homosexuals...
, woman on woman, man on man, toys, double penetration, middle of the floor, middle of the couches, middle of the room."
The cleaning crew reported finding "used condom
Condom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
s, K-Y Jelly
K-Y Jelly
K-Y Jelly is a water-based, water-soluble personal lubricant produced by Johnson & Johnson. According to the company, "The origins of the brand name 'K-Y' are unknown...
, Handi Wipes, wrappers for sex toy
Sex toy
A sex toy is an object or device that is primarily used to facilitate human sexual pleasure. The most popular sex toys are designed to resemble human genitals and may be vibrating or non-vibrating...
s" and said "it was just incredible how it was left. Never in the history of this group of people have they ever had anything like this.'"
According to Doyle, there were no drugs
Psychoactive drug
A psychoactive drug, psychopharmaceutical, or psychotropic is a chemical substance that crosses the blood–brain barrier and acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it affects brain function, resulting in changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior...
and no minor
Minor (law)
In law, a minor is a person under a certain age — the age of majority — which legally demarcates childhood from adulthood; the age depends upon jurisdiction and application, but is typically 18...
s on the two boats and that not every Vikings player aboard acted inappropriately.
Fred Smoot
Smoot was the alleged ringleader of the entire operation. He is said to have been the one who hired the boats for the cruise on Lake Minnetonka. Smoot's agent has dismissed these claims. Smoot, however has not denied that he was on the boat that night. Smoot allegedly held a double-headed dildoDildo
A dildo is a sex toy, often explicitly phallic in appearance, intended for bodily penetration during masturbation or sex with partners.- Description and uses :...
and inserted it into the vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
s of two women who were lying on the floor in the lounge area. After one woman left he continued to "manipulate the dildo" inside the other woman in front of the young crew.
Merritt Geyen, who worked at the docks, told a sheriff's detective that three men planned the charter boat cruises. The day before the party, Geyen told the detective, Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot showed up with another man she did not recognize.
Lance Johnstone
Merritt Geyen, a dock employee, told the detective that crew members showed Johnstone, Smoot and an unidentified player around the boats, went over menus and talked about specialty liquors. Smoot then signed a contract for the event and gave his address and phone number so she could bill him for it. Johnstone put his credit card down for the $1,000 deposit and said the rest of the bill could be added to his card later.Mewelde Moore
Moore admitted being on the boat, but he claimed that "nothing happened". Asked if he saw strippers or sex on his boat, Moore immediately replied: "Sex? What are you talking about? Is that what – man, that's crazy. Sex? Come on. Look man, I'm engaged so... none of that. Thing about that... that – that put me in trouble."Darren Sharper
Sharper said "I know I didn't do anything wrong. So I don't worry about it at all." He also claimed he was not "on the boat in question."Koren Robinson
Robinson said he was not on either boat and was upset the Minneapolis Star Tribune associated him with this incident, given his effort to rebuild his life after struggling with substance abuse.Robinson says "I wasn't there, as far as the whole situation, I just know I wasn't on the boat, and I don't want to get involved. I don't want my name brought up because of what I just went through and what I'm still going through. So for my name to be brought up like that is just crazy and upsetting, because I don't want anyone looking at me because I had nothing to do with it."
Bryant McKinnie
McKinnie allegedly picked up a naked woman, placed her on the bar and performed cunnilingusCunnilingus
Cunnilingus is an oral sex act performed on a female. It involves the use by a sex partner of the mouth, lips and tongue to stimulate the female's clitoris, vulva, or vagina...
on her in front of the crew and other guests. Later that evening McKinnie and three other men were spotted sitting in deck chairs receiving fellatio
Fellatio
Fellatio is an act of oral stimulation of a male's penis by a sexual partner. It involves the stimulation of the penis by the use of the mouth, tongue, or throat. The person who performs fellatio can be referred to as the giving partner, and the other person is the receiving partner...
from four women, which was also observed by the crew in a public area of the boat. When asked, McKinnie said, "I'm upset my name is on the list, but I'm going to let my lawyer handle that."
Ralph Brown, Travis Taylor, Moe Williams and Jermaine Wiggins
The aforementioned players have refused to comment.Zygi Wilf, Vikings owner
"Lack of discipline will no longer be tolerated at any level. The events of the past week are unacceptable. If there was any sense that we would look the other way regarding this type of behavior, I want to make it extremely clear that this behavior will never be tolerated again." Once the investigation is completed, Wilf said he will punish the players with fines and/or suspensions, although he did not say whether termination was an option. He added that there will be "no exceptions" for players involved.Aftermath
On October 19, 2005 Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf, in a reportedly profanity-laced tirade, threatened to remove players from the roster who were involved in the planning of the party, according to Sports IllustratedSports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Tice
Mike Tice
Michael Peter Tice is an American football National Football League coach, best known as the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He is currently the offensive line coach for the Chicago Bears.-Playing career:...
echoed the calls of Wilf, but wouldn't go as far as endorsing Wilf's view on punishment. He instead said that if any players were found in the police investigation to have acted inappropriately or criminally he would definitely take action.
The Vikings created a 77 page Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the responsibilities of or proper practices for an individual, party or organization. Related concepts include ethical codes and honor codes....
and distributed it to all the players. They also hired a former FBI agent and NFL investigator as head of security (a position that had been eliminated for several years) to help keep the players out of trouble, and contracted the help of a private security firm.
On December 15, 2005, Culpepper, McKinnie, Smoot and Moe Williams were charged with indecent conduct, disorderly conduct and lewd or lascivious conduct. If convicted, each player faces a maximum of 90 days in jail on each count. All players pleaded not guilty on January 6, 2006.
Charges against Culpepper were dropped in April 2006.
Williams was found guilty on a count of disorderly conduct but was cleared on charges of indecent conduct, and lewd or lascivious behavior; he was fined $300 and ordered to perform 30 hours of community service.
On May 26, 2006, Fred Smoot and Bryant McKinnie pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The two will pay a $1,000 fine and perform 48 hours of community service, they also had 30-day jail sentences stayed for a year. Smoot and McKinnie also pleaded guilty to being a public nuisance on a watercraft, but that will be permanently removed from their records if they remain law abiding for the next year.
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said the two players, in addition to their required community service, would participate in numerous service events over the next season. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said fines are likely, declining to say for how much or how long the process will take. He said the players won't be suspended. Because Smoot and McKinnie are being disciplined by the league, the Vikings are precluded by the NFL's labor agreement from imposing their own discipline.
In September 2006, the NFL imposed a one game check fine for both Smoot and McKinnie. Game checks represent 1/17th of a player's base salary, so Smoot's fine was $82,352 and McKinnie's was $41,176. They did not receive a suspension. A day after the fine was levied, McKinnie was given a raise and a seven year extension of his contract worth $48 million. Coach Brad Childress
Brad Childress
Brad "Chilly" Childress is the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He attended high school at the Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois...
said of their 2002 draft 7th overall pick, "when you have a good tackle like that, particularly a left tackle, you have to try to keep those guys around. They just don't grow on trees, and he's one of the better ones in this league."
Another area sports team took a jab at the incident as well. On May 27, 2006, the St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, an independent minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team noted for its over-the-top promotions, gave away rubber boats to fans, ostensibly to honor the 30th anniversary of the TV series The Love Boat
The Love Boat
The Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
. However, details of the boats made it obvious that the Saints intended to parody the incident. Each boat was yellow with purple trim (the Vikings team colors); the bridge was designed to evoke the stereotypical Viking helmet; and the boats bore the name Minnetonka Queen, a reference to the lake.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Steve Smith made fun of the scandal in a game against the Vikings, by pretending to row a boat in the end zone.