In a radio interview this week, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver said, “We ain’t got no gay people on the team… 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.”
He has since issued an equally-intelligent apology:
“The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel.”
This is the same week that former-49er offensive tackle Kwame Harris was outed as he faced charges for assaulting his ex-lover, a man, outside a Chinese restaurant during an argument about soy sauce and underwear.
Meanwhile, 49ers safety Donte Whitner, who previously appeared in an “In Gets Better Project” video supporting LGBT teens, expressed disappointment in Culliver’s intolerance:
“I actually do feel differently from what Chris said,” Whitner said. “We are NFL players, but we are humans also. Who knows? There could be somebody gay in our locker room right now that’s scared to come out, which he has a right to be if he is scared to come out because of all of this and how other teammates might feel. But I feel like anybody can be who they want to be if they want to be that. As long as you don’t disrespect other people and go about your own business in your way, I don’t see what the problem is.”
Chris Culliver issues apology (ESPN)
“49ers’ Donte Whitner ready to accept gay teammate, disappointed in Chris Culliver” (USA Today)
“Ex-49er Kwame Harris accused of beating up ex-boyfriend appears in court” (SF Examiner)