Chris Culliver

Chris Culliver (born August 17, 1988) is an American football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina.

Early life
Culliver had a difficult start in life. His mother, although she would eventually graduate from Temple University, was single and only 16 years old when he was born. Culliver has a brother four years his junior and twin siblings, a boy and a girl, who are eight years younger. In 1996, Culliver's stepfather and a cousin were shot to death, and his mother was wounded, in a Philadelphia bar fight. In college, a 20-year-old Culliver almost died from complications following routine shoulder surgery.

College career
Culliver chose to attend South Carolina over Florida and NC State. He majored in sport and entertainment management.

Professional career
Chris Culliver was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He finished the season with a total of 35 combined tackles, 7 pass defensed, and 1 interception for 23 yards.

In the 2012 season, Culliver was the 49ers' primary nickelback, and he had a key interception against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game. San Francisco advanced to Super Bowl XLVII, but lost 34–31 to the Baltimore Ravens. Culiver had a tough game after being targeted often by Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. He was beaten badly on a 56-yard touchdown by Jacoby Jones. He was also flagged for pass interference in the fourth quarter on third-and-nine play during drive which Baltimore kicked a field goal to extend its lead to 34–29.

Prior to the Super Bowl during Media Day, Culliver had some strong words for gay players in the NFL. Asked by comedian/radio host Artie Lange, Culliver stated, "No, we don't got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.... Can't be with that sweet stuff. Nah…can't be…in the locker room man. Nah." He also opined that any gay players should wait 10 years after retiring before coming out. Culliver later apologized for his "ugly comments" that were "not what I feel in my heart". In a reversal, he said he would welcome a gay teammate: "I treat everyone equal." He added that he loved San Francisco, which has a large gay community.