Truth & Rumors > NFL
No plans to play 49ers' anti-gay bullying video during games
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11:11 AM ET 08.26 | The 49ers followed the baseball Giants by becoming the first team in their league to record an "It Gets Better" video condemning anti-gay violence and bullying. The minute-long segment features defenders Donte Whitner, Ahmad Brooks, Isaac Sopoaga and Ricky Jean Francois. The video, which was filmed in the spring, came about after fan Sean Chapin gathered more than 16,000 signatures on Change.org that encouraged the 49ers to become the first NFL team to make one. Chapin also petitioned the Giants to become the first major league team to film an "It Gets Better" spot. Since then, nine other big-league teams -- including the Dodgers, Cubs and Red Sox -- have followed suit. The campaign began in 2010 in response to a rash of suicides by students after they were bullied over their sexual orientation. The 49ers have released the video on YouTube and Facebook, but there are no plans at this time to play it during a game. A team spokesman said the anti-bullying message fits the mission of the 49ers Foundation, which is to "Keep kids safe, on track and in school."
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Comments (32) Add A Comment
Why would they play it during games? The target audience is at-risk gay kids, not average football fans.
williewilliejuan
Total Comments (35158)
Not playing it because it was a token attempt at showing tolerance. The fact that teams and not the NFL are doing this shows that it isn't a relevant issue for the NFL or MLB. The reality for these issues is that there isn't any money in it for the leagues. Until then, it's viewed as less than civil unrest in a third world country. Maybe if ESPN or SI does an editorial on the topic then one of the leagues may begin to feel a bit of pressure. Or Tom Brady needs to come out.
Lightly Salted Nuts
Total Comments (4086)
The average homosexual student will hear 25 anti-gay statements/slurs directed at them each day in school. I don't think playing a video at a football game will change things, but I do believe it could be a good start in the right direction. Something needs to be done.
Stuart MacDougal
Indianapolis, IN
Total Comments (4172)
The 49ers have come a long way. They used to have to play videos asking their fans not to make fun of them or call them nasty names during home games.
50yearfan
Total Comments (11189)
Come on Willie don't you think there are some young male football fans that may fit the profile of bullies? It couldn't hut to run it at half time and take a tax deduction for public service
Eagles in 2020
Total Comments (2885)
I'm not attacking you Willie you just responded first
Eagles in 2020
Total Comments (2885)
It's not aimed at the bullies; it's aimed at the bullied.
While I won't go so far to say there aren't any young gay kids in a football crowd, it isn't the primary place I'd go to reach that constituency.
williewilliejuan
Total Comments (35158)
glad to see the NFL trying to do something. Might not be totally effective, but they did make the effort, and it is good to see that the tough guys of the NFL don't endorse mugging people. Real toughness is in doing what is right no matter how hard, not in doing what is wrong, no matter how easy.
Traded to Seattle
Salem , OR
Total Comments (1539)
Remember...there are undoubetdly at least a few gay players in the field.
Joe Mammy
Total Comments (2643)
I could careless about gays.It's their choice not mine and being force to take them in my arms,NO WAY will I do this.I will live love the sinner but I will hate the sin.
HAIL TO THE VICTORS!
Total Comments (686)
Shouldn't you be out smiting people or reading the bible?
fvkasm2x
Edmonton, AB
Total Comments (2121)
Did you choose to be heterosexual?
williewilliejuan
Total Comments (35158)
It's also not the time or the place for PSAs.
When I go to a sports game the last thing I want is to be forced to watch a bunch of preachy promos.
IMO, it's a slippery slope issue. Because then every group out there with a nobel cause is going to want their message run at the local sports venue. We'll have anti-smoking ads, Mother Against Drug Driving speeches, groups for abused & battered women, and Tim Tebow wanting his pro-life commercials aired every week.
It's not a matter of whether or not I support your cause. I'm not there for the propaganda, I'm there to watch the game.
(Un)mautre
Inferiority Complex Group, FN
Total Comments (16203)
A ture left wing statement.If you do not agree with the left your the one that is wrong.
HAIL TO THE VICTORS!
Total Comments (686)
OK, I didn't take it that way.
Eagles in 2020
Total Comments (2885)
I don't think there are any philistenes (sp) left they all been smote
Eagles in 2020
Total Comments (2885)
We have freedom of speech here in the United States only if you are a left winger.
HAIL TO THE VICTORS!
Total Comments (686)
Now you're just being stupid. Of course you have freedom of speech - regardless of your political stripe. You just don't appear to like the fact that those who have opposing viewpoints have the freedom to criticize your opinion.
williewilliejuan
Total Comments (35158)
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