Chris Culliver, San Francisco 49ers
cornerback, has said a gay player would not be welcome on his team.
Culliver, whose team will play the
Baltimore Ravens in Sunday's Super Bowl, made his remarks during an
interview with comedian-radio personality Artie Lange, who is best
known for his appearances on The Howard Stern Show and the
sketch comedy series MADtv.
“And what about gay guys? Any of
them approach you?” Lange asked.
“No, I don't do the gay guys. Man, I
don't do that.”
“Are any on the 49ers?”
“No, we don't got no gay people on
the team,” Culliver, 24, answered. “You know, they gotta get up
out of here if they do. Can't be with that sweet stuff.”
“Really, is that true?”
“Yeah, it's true.”
“They might be able to play well,”
Lange said.
“Nah … can't be … in the locker
room man. Nah.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
The 49ers issued a statement denouncing
Culliver's comments. And by Wednesday evening, Culliver himself had
apologized for his remarks in a statement issued by the team.
“The derogatory comments I made
yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not
how I feel,” Culliver
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.”