We get it. The NFL is a more homophobic arena than most. But suffice it to say, following on the whole Chris Culliver debacle, the 49ers need to keep their damn mouths shut and go get some diversity training or something. Yesterday, when fellow players Ahmad Brooks and Isaac Sopoaga were questioned about their 2012 appearance in the team's much lauded "It Gets Better" video, both players denied appearing in the video, and it's clear they either didn't know that the It Gets Better Project had a significant LGBT focus, or they hadn't made the connection between bullying and gay civil rights issues. OR they were paranoid that reporters were trying to suggest that they too, like ex-teammate Kwame Harris, were homosexual.
When questioned by reporters following the backlash against Culliver's ignorant comments, both Brooks and Sopoaga denied ever appearing in the video. Brooks said, "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." USA Today Sports then went ahead and showed Brooks the video on an iPhone, and Brooks said, "Oh, that. It was an anti-bullying video, not a gay video." When questioned separately, Sopoaga also did not remember the video, and did not seem to know that it had anything to do with gay people.
In the video, it was actually teammate Donte Whitner who delivered the line "The San Francisco 49ers are proud to join ItGetsBetter.org to let all LGBT teens know: It gets better." But if Brooks had ever watched the video, or done more than show up and read from a cue card, he'd clearly understand this was a gay issue. Did no one tell him? Seriously?
Though multiple players allegedly volunteered to be in the video, The It Gets Better Project claimed that the most intimidating looking players were chosen to do it.
Great work, guys. Expect the next PR-composed apology statement to be issued in 3... 2... 1...
And just to refresh everyone's memory:
Update: Dan Savage and the It Gets Better Project have removed the 49ers video from their website. Savage tweets: "We've removed the #49ers #ItGetsBetter video from our website. http://huff.to/YmkK2S #homophobia #NFL #horseshit"
Previously: 49er Chris Culliver Is a Huge Homophobe [Updates]
