Former Minnesota WR alleges mistreatment by staff

Shortly after taking to Twitter to announce his intent to transfer, former Minnesota wide receiver A.J. Barker directed his followers to a long and harshly worded blog post that included allegations of mistreatment by Minnesota coach Jerry Kill.

In a post on his personal Tumblr page, titled "My Letter to Jerry Kill, why I quit," Barker, the team's leading receiver, accuses Kill and members of the Minnesota medical staff of failing to properly inform him of the nature of an ankle injury he suffered during a touchdown catch against Purdue on Oct. 27.

"Now, in honor of my family and myself I'm done with you for good," Barker wrote. "In light of that pathetic, manipulative display of rage and love you put on this past Thursday, I have come to the decision, with the guidance of my parents and my closest friends, that my time on this team has come to an end.

"It kills me that I have to do this before the season's over, but this is the only way I can protect myself against the manipulation and abuse I'd have to endure from you the rest of this season."

Barker's post also includes two separate allegations of discrimination based on his religious beliefs. Barker said after sending out the link that he is an atheist.

"Last spring before the spring game I was called a [gay slur] for my spiritual views by [tight ends coach Rob] Reeves where other players on the team heard him say it," reads Barker's post.

"You referenced my spiritual views on three different occasions claiming 'if I were a bad person I'd hold it against you.' Well, Coach Kill, taking everything into account, the fact you felt the need to say that on three different occasions goes to show that it probably did play a part in your views of me."

The post touches on an episode on Thursday, when Kill yelled at Barker, in front of the team, over what he felt was Barker's reluctance to adhere to the team's rehabilitation schedule.

Barker called the episode "a 20 minute [tirade] where you attacked everything about me, from an athlete to my character as a person. I took every word of it replying faithfully 'Yes sir. Yes sir. No, sorry sir' and watched as you demeaned me to a point of no return.

"You took the one thing you had a say in (my football playing career and my future) and you held it against me in an attempt to break me, going as far as to tell me I'll never get a scholarship or see the field again."

On Sunday, Barker told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that Kill and Minnesota's training staff "felt I should be healthy right now. They felt that my injury at Purdue shouldn't still have me injured.

"Coach Kill blew up on me that I should have been ready a week and a half ago. Coach Kill wants to win; there's no doubt about it. I'm not trying to sabotage the team. For me and my future, I just felt it was best to move on now rather than wait two months."

Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague released a statement Sunday:

"Coach Kill received an email from A.J. Barker today notifying the Coach that he has quit the team. Coach Kill tried reaching out to A.J. after receiving the email, but was unable to connect with him. We understand A.J.'s frustration with his injury, and we regret that he has chosen to leave the team on these terms. Our concern first and foremost is student athletes and we wish A.J. well."

Despite missing the last three games due to injury, Barker leads the Golden Gophers in receptions (30), receiving yards (577) and receiving touchdowns (7).

Since Barker is a walk-on, he can transfer from Minnesota to another FBS program and not sit out the 2013 season.