NEW ORLEANS -- San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver*apologized Thursday for anti-gay comments he made to comedian*Artie Lange*on Super Bowl media day.
Culliver, 24, said Thursday that's "not what's in my heart" and he was "just kidding around."
He also apologized to the city of San Francisco and added that he would welcome a gay teammate to the 49ers, a reversal of his remarks to Lange two days ago. San Francisco and the Bay Area are home to a large gay community.
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday he spoke with Culliver about his comments but he wouldn't get into specifics of his conversation with the cornerback.
"There's not malice in his heart. He's not an ugly person. He's not a discriminatory person. I really believe that this is something that he'll learn and grow from," Harbaugh said.
During an interview Tuesday at the Superdome, Culliver responded to questions from Lange by saying he wouldn't welcome a gay player in the locker room. He said the 49ers didn't have any gay players, and if they did those players should leave.
Culliver's apology reiterated his statement of regret released by the team Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Houston Texans linebacker Connor Barwin is adding his voice to the number of NFL athletes who are combating homophobia in sports. The group Athlete Ally announced that Barden would be the fourth NFL player on a roster of over 6,000 college and professional athletes who have pledged to support fellow athletes regardless of sexual orientation.
"My older brother is gay, and I was raised to respect and value all people. Embracing diversity is something I was always taught to do," Barwin said. "Becoming an Athlete Ally Ambassador gives me a great opportunity to engage other players, coaches and fans about the importance of inclusiveness. It's about sportsmanship."
Other NFL players who have done the same are Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe. The goal of the group is to show that athletes like Culliver don't speak for everyone, and to provide a voice for inclusion in the locker room.
"It's disappointing to see Culliver's remarks about gay rights, but it reminds us all that we need to continuously strive for compassion, tolerance, and respect toward everybody," Kluwe said. "Hopefully we can use this as a learning experience to create a much better atmosphere in the league so every player can feel free to be who they are."*
Culliver is San Francisco's primary nickel cornerback and had a key interception against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game. The second-year veteran made it clear to Lange that he would not accept a gay teammate.
"I don't do the gay guys. I don't do that," Culliver told Lange, who had asked the cornerback if he ever had been approached by a homosexual player.
Culliver's remarks came one day after a pretrial hearing for former 49ers offensive lineman Kwame Harris, who was charged with felony domestic violence and assault charges from an August beating involving a former boyfriend.
Culliver indicated that a gay player would not be welcome on the current 49ers when Lange asked if there were any gay players on the team.
"We ain't got no gay people on the team," Culliver told Lange. "They gotta get up out here if they do. Can't be with that sweet stuff. ... Nah, can't be ... in the locker room, man."
When asked by Lange if a gay player should keep his sexual orientation a secret, Culliver said gay players should reveal their sexuality after retiring.
"Gotta come out 10 years after that," Culliver said.
NFL Chris Culliver 'just kidding around' - ESPN
Culliver, 24, said Thursday that's "not what's in my heart" and he was "just kidding around."
He also apologized to the city of San Francisco and added that he would welcome a gay teammate to the 49ers, a reversal of his remarks to Lange two days ago. San Francisco and the Bay Area are home to a large gay community.
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday he spoke with Culliver about his comments but he wouldn't get into specifics of his conversation with the cornerback.
"There's not malice in his heart. He's not an ugly person. He's not a discriminatory person. I really believe that this is something that he'll learn and grow from," Harbaugh said.
During an interview Tuesday at the Superdome, Culliver responded to questions from Lange by saying he wouldn't welcome a gay player in the locker room. He said the 49ers didn't have any gay players, and if they did those players should leave.
Culliver's apology reiterated his statement of regret released by the team Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Houston Texans linebacker Connor Barwin is adding his voice to the number of NFL athletes who are combating homophobia in sports. The group Athlete Ally announced that Barden would be the fourth NFL player on a roster of over 6,000 college and professional athletes who have pledged to support fellow athletes regardless of sexual orientation.
"My older brother is gay, and I was raised to respect and value all people. Embracing diversity is something I was always taught to do," Barwin said. "Becoming an Athlete Ally Ambassador gives me a great opportunity to engage other players, coaches and fans about the importance of inclusiveness. It's about sportsmanship."
Other NFL players who have done the same are Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe. The goal of the group is to show that athletes like Culliver don't speak for everyone, and to provide a voice for inclusion in the locker room.
"It's disappointing to see Culliver's remarks about gay rights, but it reminds us all that we need to continuously strive for compassion, tolerance, and respect toward everybody," Kluwe said. "Hopefully we can use this as a learning experience to create a much better atmosphere in the league so every player can feel free to be who they are."*
Culliver is San Francisco's primary nickel cornerback and had a key interception against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game. The second-year veteran made it clear to Lange that he would not accept a gay teammate.
"I don't do the gay guys. I don't do that," Culliver told Lange, who had asked the cornerback if he ever had been approached by a homosexual player.
Culliver's remarks came one day after a pretrial hearing for former 49ers offensive lineman Kwame Harris, who was charged with felony domestic violence and assault charges from an August beating involving a former boyfriend.
Culliver indicated that a gay player would not be welcome on the current 49ers when Lange asked if there were any gay players on the team.
"We ain't got no gay people on the team," Culliver told Lange. "They gotta get up out here if they do. Can't be with that sweet stuff. ... Nah, can't be ... in the locker room, man."
When asked by Lange if a gay player should keep his sexual orientation a secret, Culliver said gay players should reveal their sexuality after retiring.
"Gotta come out 10 years after that," Culliver said.
NFL Chris Culliver 'just kidding around' - ESPN