Comments on: 49ers “reject the comments” made by Chris Culliver

By: beastmode5150

beastmode5150 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:41:15 +0000

Oh shocker, a Niner with no class, shocker.
Go Hawks.

By: bfree2k

bfree2k — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:15:53 +0000

to staffordsyear and to others who think this is a violation of free speech–it’s not. This Culliver dope is not being arrested nor prosecuted for his remarks. If he were then you’d have a valid point and an ally in me and others but what has happened here is that this man’s employer being an LGBT community friend will not tolerate someone in it’s employ hurting its stand nor its brand. It’s the same reason that Imus was “fired” at NBC–he was not arrested which would have been a violation of Free Speech. Do you see the difference? Stop thinking that the right to “Free Speech” in this country grants you this wide sweeping immunity to say whatever you wish, even if it is hurtful, inflammatory or even dangerous, and there not being any repercussions from some corner.

By: azarkhan

azarkhan — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:09:30 +0000

Political correctness is really disgusting.

By: karla36

karla36 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:56:11 +0000

He’s entitled to his opinion…that being said…the ignorant (uneducated) responses on this site are amazing…educate yourselves…how narcissistic of him to think “the gay” would even find him attractive!!

By: wolverine69

wolverine69 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:43:49 +0000

Yeah lets make women shower with men and act like it doesnt bother you…. get yah life. lets Have the LGBT locker…just like the president money buys silence of what you believe in…well not for real americans. Speak

By: stevietimmy

stevietimmy — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:42:39 +0000

grhopper says:
Jan 30, 2013 10:10 PM
Oh please, give me a break. If I had a gay teammate, I’d want to know…I wouldn’t get close to him in the showers, nor would I want him arounf my kids.
———————————————

Right. Because he might get cooties on you. Like someone has already said, “He doth protest too much methinks.”

By: root4cleveland

root4cleveland — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:42:09 +0000

That’s all fine and good that they made him apologize for voicing his opinion, but I also want an apology from the likes of Ayanbandejo and other “pro-gay” athletes. Or wait…is that me not being on board?

My point is these guys are football players and have been their entire adult lives. They’re focus is on the game. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, completely (and no matter which side of the discussions they fall on) but why do we ask these athletes to be social commentators at all? And why are only the “anti-gay” (misnomer) asked to apologize? What if I was offended by the other side’s commentary? (I’m not, FYI.) These players are not specialists in psychology, sociology, or political science. Their opinions don’t have any more weight than yours or mine, and I think any adult civilian man/woman would be pretty stoutly opposed to their employer forcing him/her to issue an apology for a statement they made when asked their personal opinion. Its pretty clear to anyone with a brain they don’t/can’t represent the views of their organization or city as a whole.

The right to free speech is relative to government censorship, not private, but still…. If Baltimore chastised Ayanbandejo for his comments would it get the same press? Its an example of how Alper (Florio, et. al.) really do press their personal political agenda in a forum that is supposed to be about sports.

By: wolverine69

wolverine69 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:38:22 +0000

If thats how he feels so be it. when one comes out make sure they have a separate bathroom for them…I like women so can i dress with them, i bet not….Chris has a right to his opinion.

By: thepiedpiperplaysagain

thepiedpiperplaysagain — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:08:34 +0000

This is making me root for the niners even more.
haha!

By: charman11

charman11 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:45:52 +0000

Whats wrong with him saying how he feels about. He isn’t alone I’m sure.

By: raidman75

raidman75 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:19:49 +0000

why make him apologize ?? just because he plays for the niners dont mean he’s gay like all their fans !!!

By: louhudson23

louhudson23 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:19:22 +0000

Changed one word…maybe that was it??
The list of names here is very long…so blanket statement….The right to freedom of speech is protection from Government prosecution. Not from your employer, who you represent and not from fellow citizens expressing their opinion that he is an an ignorant bigot who feels that other fellow citizens should not have the right to act openly and freely and who is disparaging of other citizens friends,and family simply because he retains antiquated and ignorant opinions of someone else.. So ,to be clear.His right to free speech HAS NOT been infringed upon in any way. Understand?.Perhaps sleeping through High School U.S. Government and civics class was not such a good idea…..

By: louhudson23

louhudson23 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:17:52 +0000

Hmmm. Posted but not seen.Multiple times.And now alerted of multiple posts ,but still not seen.Commented on another story,and immediately posted.Did I say the wrong thing?

By: 1flyboy1

1flyboy1 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:54:00 +0000

So many of you are so incredibly dense it’s unbelievable.

“Why can’t people express their opinion!” “Isn’t he entitled to his opinion?” “Freedom of speech!”

Whoever said he wasn’t? He is. And his opinion is wrong and being condemned accordingly.

This is 2013. You can’t make comments like this and get away with it anymore. That doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to make the comments. It means you’re going to be shunned and criticized for doing so.

Being anti-gay is wrong, and what Culliver said was incredibly hateful. What he did was wrong. He’s paying the price. Wrong is wrong. Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.

By: 1flyboy1

1flyboy1 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:48:32 +0000

The comments made here more or less represent why non-heterosexual players don’t come out of the closet. Goodness gracious.

BTW, most 49ers players have been anonymously and directly asked about this issue and said they would have no issue with an openly gay teammate. Because football is football and it’s football that matters.

No-one said that Chris Culliver wasn’t entitled to give his opinion. But at the end of the day, he’s also not absolved from criticism for making comments that are, ultimately, offensive to millions, gay and straight alike, and especially to Bay Area citizens. Period. His comments were offensive and his comments have received backlash accordingly. Freedom of speech only means that Chris isn’t going to be legally prevented or legally prosecuted for giving his opinion. It has nothing to do with condemning him for making hateful comments.

By: undraftedstar

undraftedstar — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:38:47 +0000

There goes the press looking for sheep. I don’t even know what that question is related to the Super Bowl.People should continue to lie all the time , it’ll make the world a better place..

By: bigbaldpapahawk

bigbaldpapahawk — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:33:20 +0000

It is not a matter of freedom of speech. He fully exercised his right of freedom of speech. What he is facing now is the consequences of his speech.

Just because you have the freedom to express your opinion publicly does not mean you are free of the public consequences of that.

The said, he should be big enough to stand by his word if he is going to say something like that.

By: sparky151

sparky151 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:19:15 +0000

Notice the difference in media coverage between Ravens backup LB Ayanbadejo who loudly supports gay marriage and the coverage of Ravens center Matt Birk who opposes it. You could also throw in Culliver too. Apparently he’s not allowed to have a non-PC opinion or be honest about it. There’s nothing wrong with not wanting to change or shower in front of someone who is attracted to you but who you don’t feel the same about. In fact there are laws to that effect.

By: franklinandbashandflorio

franklinandbashandflorio — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:25:35 +0000

The NFL is a Brand and so are it’s football teams. If a team wants to protect their image/brand, they have every right to do so, henceforth the 49ers releasing their statement regarding bullying. If an employee says something contrary to his/hers company’s belief system, (i.e. world media stage), what’s going to happen? What would you do as the CEO?

By: footballhistorian

footballhistorian — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:26:14 +0000

So who cares? It’s his personal opinion. It’s not like he’s said he’s going to attack anyone. He can like/dislike whomever he wants. Now, acting on that opinion in a manner which violates law is a different story.

By: paulz624

paulz624 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:02:05 +0000

What is he to apologize for? The only difference between him and the majority of the NFL is, he said it openly how the majority feels.

By: badintent

badintent — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:58:56 +0000

Dr Phil” I guess that leaves out a certain LB on the Cards “

By: beerndrums

beerndrums — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:57:37 +0000

Not everyone has to be a gay lover just because the media says you should
People can’t think for themselves anymore

By: zackattack006

zackattack006 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:43:46 +0000

Perhaps since they have the Rooney Rule for black coaches, the NFL should come up with the Te’o Rule for gay coaches.

By: phreakin

phreakin — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:40:35 +0000

So he’s not allowed to express his opinion, right or wrong, and have protected free speech? Gotcha

By: sourdoughsam

sourdoughsam — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:39:17 +0000

Well this is probably one of the worst comments a San Francisco PR person would have to address.

Culliver’s a talented kid, but he should probably keep his mouthpiece in at all times.

By: deathonwings410

deathonwings410 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:34:38 +0000

Stupid comment considering he plays for the San Francisco team and we all know SF is the Mecca of Same Sex America.

By: zn0rseman

zn0rseman — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:27:27 +0000

Let us all be tolerant… but only of those who say things we agree with. Right?

By: gregmorris78

gregmorris78 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:23:30 +0000

Doesn’t that alienate a lot of 49er fans?

Hasn’t anyone told him that the city of San Francisco is VERY popular with gay people?

By: bearclaw69

bearclaw69 — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 04:30:44 +0000

If a guy doesn’t feel comfortable with a freak in the locker room, that’s his right. And those who don’t like that can kiss his butt…oh wait, they’d probably like to do that.