Minnesota Vikings release Chris Kluwe

Aug 30, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe (5) punts against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The inevitable finally became reality.

The Minnesota Vikings will release punter Chris Kluwe, the player tweeted on Monday.

"“Thank you to all the fans, my teammates, and the Wilf family for the past 8.5 years, Kluwe said. “I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.”"

Kluwe said earlier this week that he would like to compete for his job, but also said he would like an early release to find an opportunity with another team if the decision to go with rookie Jeff Locke was already set.

"“If it’s truly a fair and open competition, then I would love to compete,” Kluwe said. “But if it’s something that (Locke is) the direction they’re going to go, then I would much rather be cut early and have a chance to find a job somewhere else.”"

One thing that has been overlooked is that Kluwe, along with Cullen Loeffler and Walsh, combined to create one of the most successful field goal teams in the past decade. Walsh’s Pro Bowl season, at least in part, can be attributed to this three-man field goal team.