Artie Lange on Culliver: “He Wouldn’t Stop Talking”

Jan 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald (91) and Darcel McBath (28) talks to comedian Artie Lange (left) during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Artie Lange, the comedian who started a full-blown controversy when he asked 49ers’ cornerback Chris Culliver about gays in the NFL, has spoken to USA Today.

“When I asked the question I was just joking around, and then he wouldn’t stop talking,” said Lange. “I said to myself, ‘I gotta play this tape but he’s a young kid and doesn’t know any better.’

“I don’t do the gay guys man,” Culliver told Lange earlier this week. ”I don’t do that. No, we don’t got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do.”

Since then, Culliver has apologized for his statement, but it is safe to say that his week has been spoiled.

“It ruined (Culliver’s) week and I don’t feel good about that. But if that’s how he really felt and this helped it get out there, maybe he’ll change it,” Lange said.

One question that must be asked is why Lange was given credentials by the NFL. He obviously isn’t there to cover and analyze the game, and there are other hard-working journalists who deserve access.

He even said it:

"I’m a stupid comedian. I don’t think he knew who I was. I looked homeless, quite frankly."