While the San Francisco 49ers would probably rather be talking to the media about how they plan to beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in the Super Bowl, the team has a PR mess on its hands after cornerback Chris Culliver made a derogatory comment about gay players.
“I don't do the gay guys man,” Culliver told shock jock Artie Lange on Tuesday during Media Day, notes Yahoo Sports. “I don't do that. No, we don't got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.”
He continued, “Can't be with that sweet stuff. Nah…can't be…in the locker room man. Nah.”
Lange then asked him if homosexual athletes have to keep their sexuality a secret while playing, Culliver replied, “Yeah, come out 10 years later after that.”
The Los Angeles Times reports that the team later issued an apology for the comments, noting, “The San Francisco 49ers reject the comments that were made yesterday, and have addressed the matter with Chris. There is no place for discrimination within our organization at any level. We have and always will proudly support the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.”
Culliver also issued a statement, which was released by the team.
“The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel,” he said. “It has taken me seeing them in print to realize that they are hurtful and ugly. Those discriminating feelings are truly not in my heart. Further, I apologize to those who I have hurt and offended, and I pledge to learn and grow from this experience.”
ESPN notes that the comments came after former 49ers player Kwame Harris was charged for domestic violence against a former boyfriend.
Culliver also raised some eyebrows when he tweeted, “Boy I wake up to a mean txt females in general just be -- well let me just say they be on there PERIOD!! #1 love is mom dudes!!! Period.”