Vikings' Zimmer denies report he used slaughtered stuffed animals

Mike Zimmer admits he has some unconventional methods, but the Minnesota Vikings head coach draws the line at being called a stuffed animal murderer.

Matt Ventel of the Star Tribune reported Zimmer scattered cat toys throughout Winter Park, along with a sign that read "Fat Cats Get Slaughtered" to warn of the dangers of feeling too relaxed coming off the bye.

Vental also said that Zimmer cut the throats of some of the toys and smeared them with red paint, though the paper clarified it wasn't the head coach.

"I want to set the record straight on an erroneous report that I feel like attacked my character and my reputation," Zimmer said Thursday, according to ESPN's Ben Goessling. "Actually, the stuffed animals I did have here were given to charity, to Toys for Tots. It just kind of goes to show you that when one thing gets out there - and it was updated correctly, that I had nothing to do with it - but unfortunately, the headlines still keep coming out, and it bothers me."

The bizarre motivational tactic led to Zimmer's charitable foundation receiving critical messages.

"I do a lot of crazy stuff," Zimmer said. "But I'll admit it when I do it."

Regardless of who did it, the ploy didn't work, as the Vikings lost their first game of the season on Sunday by a score of 21-10 to the Philadelphia Eagles.