San Fransisco 49ers’ Ahmad Brooks, Isaac Sopoaga deny participating in pro-LGBT ‘It Gets Better’ video

by Carrie Healey |

In the days leading up to the NFL’s biggest game of the year, several San Francisco 49ers’ players have been making headlines for reasons other than their Super Bowl XLVII appearance.

Following 49ers’ cornerback Chris Culliver’s anti-gay remarks, teammates Ahmad Brooks and Isaac Sopoaga have claimed they do not recall participating in the production of an August video created to show support for gay youth.

During an interview Thursday, the San Francisco players were asked about the “It Gets Better Project” video they participated in.  The video was made to help raise awareness and address bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teens.

When asked by USA Today, both linebacker Ahmad Brooks and nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga denied taking part in the video they are featured in.

Upon being shown the “It Gets Better” video via iPhone, Brooks said he thought the video “was an anti-bullying video, not a gay [rights] video.”

Sopoaga, after insisting he never appeared in the clip and that someone must be using his name, was shown the video and then had no further comment.

Dan Savage, co-founder of the It Gets Better Project, tweeted shortly after the incident stating that the 49ers video had been removed from their website:

Earlier this week, Culliver, 24, made homophobic remarks regarding gay players in the NFL.

“I don’t do the gay guys man, I don’t do that,” Culliver told former Howard Stern Show radio personality Artie Lange. “We don’t got no gay people on the team. They gotta get up outta here if they do. Can’t be with that sweet stuff.”

The 49ers organization “rejected” the discriminatory comments, and Culliver has since apologized for the insensitive remarks.

Prior to the remarks by current San Francisco players, the Associated Press reported that former 49ers offensive tackle Kwame Harris has been charged with felony domestic violence and assault charges from an August incident involving a former boyfriend.

Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @Carrie Heals.