Chris Culliver and Artie Lange (Source: @ArtieQuitter)
NEW ORLEANS, LA (WIS) -
Former Gamecock cornerback and current San Francisco 49ers player Chris Culliver reportedly made anti-gay comments during an interview with radio personality Artie Lange.
Lange, a comedian who hosts his own nationally syndicated radio show, interviewed Culliver during Media Day in New Orleans on Tuesday before Super Bowl XLVII.
"I don't do the gay guys, man," said Culliver. "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."
Pressed further by Lange on whether or not gay athletes should stay hush-hush about their sexuality, Culliver says players should come out 10 years after retirement.
Culliver was drafted from the Gamecocks in the third round by the 49ers back in 2011.
As a Gamecock, Culliver was a kick returner and left with a school record 2,476 kickoff return yards. However, he was moved to cornerback in his final season with the team.
Culliver has been one of the playmakers of the 49ers' defense this year with 48 tackles and two interceptions. One of those interceptions proved to be critical in stalling the Atlanta Falcons' offense during the NFC Championship game.
The 49ers released a statement following the release of the interview.
"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 community."
Culliver himself released a statement as well.
"The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel. 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," said Culliver.
Lange took to his twitter account in the hours after the interview was aired.
"Hope Culliver doesn't get in too much trouble. I look homeless so he prob thought he could be honest. Unfortunately that's the NFL. Sucks," said Lange.
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