49ers Players Deny Being in Anti-Bullying LGBT Video They’re In

[William769]

As if the anti-gay remarks by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver weren’t enough to send the team’s management into a tizzy days before the Super Bowl, two of its other players are adding to the controversy by denying that they were in a video produced to combat bullying experienced by LGBT teens.

But here’s the thing—despite what linebacker Ahmad Brooks and defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga claim, the two were in fact among the players featured in the 49ers “It Gets Better” video, which was released last summer.

When asked about the video by USA Today, Brooks said, “This is America and if someone wants to be gay, they can be gay. But I didn’t make any video.” Later, after he was shown the video he said, “Oh, that. It was an anti-bullying video, not a gay [rights] video.”

Sopoaga, who was also approached by USA Today, tried to claim that he “never went” and that “someone is using my name,” before he was also shown the video. When told it was to help stop teens from getting bullied because of their sexual orientation, he responded, “Yeah, OK.”

After Culliver’s rant that he doesn’t “do the gay guys, man” and that he wouldn’t tolerate an openly gay teammate, the 49ers released a statement Wednesday knocking his remarks.

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/49ers_players_deny_being_in_anti-bullying_lgbt_video_theyre_in_20130131/

Is the pressure mounting?

[Drale]

1. If I was the Head Coach for the 49er's

Culliver would be sitting out the Super Bowl and would be gone by the beginning of next season. I bet the Eagles would take him, they like criminals and other horrible people

[bluedigger]

2. I'm sure 49ers management is incredibly embarrassed by all this.

It is very reminiscent, from a public relations perspective, to the controversy started by the Miami Marlins' manager Ozzie Guillen, when he praised Castro last Spring. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/miami-marlins-manager-ozzie-guillen-apologizes-comments-cuban-dictator-fidel-castro-article-1.1058644

[joeybee12]

3. I sure as hell hope they are...nt

[pinto]

4. 49ers' "It Gets Better" video -

&feature=player_embedded

[William769]

5. Another article.

Two 49ers Claim Ignorance on It Gets Better Video

Two of the San Francisco 49ers players who participated in an It Gets Better video released last year by the Super Bowl–bound team now say they didn’t realize it had anything to do with LGBT issues.

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks and nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga at first denied ever making the video, the first by an NFL team in the campaign, when asked about it Thursday by USA Today, which broached the subject because of their teammate Chris Culliver’s antigay comments this week. Then, when reminded about the video, they said they didn’t realize its purpose was to address antigay bullying.

“I didn’t make any video,” Brooks said initially. “This is America and if someone wants to be gay, they can be gay. It’s their right. But I didn’t make any video.” Then a reporter showed him the video on an iPhone, and with his memory jogged, he said he thought it was just a general antibullying message. When the journalist told him that most bullying of young people occurs because of sexual orientation or gender identity issues, Brooks said, “I know that. OK, you’re right and I’m wrong. Are you from one of those New York newspapers?”

Sopoaga also denied making the video until it was shown to him. He then asked what it was for, and was told it was an effort against anti-LGBT bullying. According to USA Today, he said, “Yeah, OK,” then declined further comment.

http://www.advocate.com/sports/2013/02/01/two-49ers-claim-ignorance-it-gets-better-video

[Fearless]

6. Their days are few in SF no doubt.

[Starry Messenger]

7. Can't wait to see who they are traded to this year. nt.

[cyberswede]

9. Why deny being in it?

Unless they were just unaware of that the content of the ad was - which isn't particularly flattering to them, either.

[hrmjustin]

10. Shame on you!!!