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NFL

Hearst Apologizes for 'Faggot' Comment

`I Didn't Realize It Would Be So Harmful,' Running Back Says

By Jim Buzinski
Outsports.com

San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst apologized Friday for saying he didn't want any ``faggots" as teammates.

"First of all, I want to apologize for the comments that I made, and to the gay community," Hearst said at the team's headquarters in Santa Clara before a packed media house. "I didn't realize it would be so harmful. I want to direct it to my teammates for causing a disturbance among the team before this game.

"Being an African-American, I know that discrimination is wrong and I was wrong for saying what I said about anybody--any race, any religion. I want to apologize to the San Francisco 49ers organization, the City of San Francisco for the comments that I made, and to my teammates for bringing this distraction upon us. I hope that everyone can accept my apology. Thank you." He did not answer any questions.

Hearst's comments came a day after the media in the Bay Area were alerted by Outsports to his Nov. 1 remarks in the Fresno Bee. In a column examining the reaction to the coming out of former defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo, Hearst told the Bee: "Aww, hell no! I don't want any faggots on my team. I know this might not be what people want to hear, but that's a punk. I don't want any faggots in this locker room."

Every newspaper, radio and TV station covering the team had detailed stories on Hearst's homophobic remarks on Friday, causing the player and 49ers management to express their regret.

"These comments were inappropriate and hurtful to the Gay and Lesbian community, our fans, the City of San Francisco, and the NFL," read part of a statement by team owner John York. "We expect better from our employees and we regret the negative impact these comments have caused. We will continue to educate our team and employees regarding tolerance and awareness."

Coach Steve Mariucci, who a day earlier had nothing to say about Hearst's remarks, took a different tack on Friday.

``Let me apologize, too, for not addressing this sooner," Mariucci said. ``I should explain myself. ... I felt I needed to learn more about it before I could say anything intelligently.

"As a coach, as a teacher, as a father, personally I have a strong belief in tolerance, equality and civil rights, equal opportunity and I hope that's reflected in the way I live my life. There's no place in this organization, on this team or in our society for that matter, there's no place for discrimination of any sort. …

"Those comments aren't warranted anywhere in this country, whether it's in Iron Mountain, Mich., [Mariucci's hometown] or Timbuktu or San Francisco. It's not acceptable, but especially in San Francisco."

No Punishment

Despite their condemnation of Hearst's remarks, the team said it had no plans to fine or otherwise punish their leading rusher. "No," Mariucci said about discipline. "It's money out of a paycheck. That doesn't teach us anything. The lesson is much more important than any sort of fine. Garrison certainly learned something. I think our team is going to learn something, and I did, too." Mariucci said he addressed the team on the issue in a 15-minute meeting.

The Niners' decision not to punish Hearst is in contrast to the position by Major League Baseball in 2000 to racist and anti-gay comments by pitcher John Rocker. He was fined and suspended. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, when asked by Roger Phillips of the Oakland Tribune whether the league would punish Hearst, said, ``Not that I'm aware of at this time, but that could change. I really couldn't tell you at this point."

Asked to explain the difference between Hearst's and Rocker's comments, Aiello said, ``I don't know. I don't think that's a fair question at this point for me sitting here in New York hearing about it. I can't make a comparison to the John Rocker situation."

In his statement, York noted that the 49ers offer domestic partnership benefits to its employees. He also said he had personally spoken to Hearst.

"I have spoken to Garrison about his comments and to educate him on the hurtful effect they have had on so many people," York said. " The 49ers and I are supportive of Garrison as a person and have talked with him today about discrimination, including the terrible history of discrimination against African Americans, as well as sensitivity and tolerance. I believe that Garrison has a much better understanding about tolerance today than when he made his comments."

The attention to Hearst's comments took at least one player by surprise, indicating that "faggot" might be a common epithet in the locker room.

"If people really know what's going on in the locker room and what we joke about every day, it would be a big deal each and every day," fullback Fred Beasley told the Associated Press. "It's not a big deal to us."

Mariucci indicated that a player's sexual orientation would matter little to him.

``The bottom line is, is a fellow good enough to play football for the 49ers?" Mariucci said. ``It doesn't matter where he's from, or his sexual orientation or his race or his color or any of that. Is he good enough to play for the 49ers, and if that's the case, then he can be on my football team."

Nov. 23, 2002

Earlier:

49ers Back Doesn't Want `Faggots' on Team

By Jim Buzinski
Outsports.com

San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst plays in the gay mecca of the U.S., but he has no trouble throwing the “F” word around when it comes to having an openly gay teammate. 

“Aww, hell no! I don't want any faggots on my team. I know this might not be what people want to hear, but that's a punk. I don't want any faggots in this locker room,” Hearst said in a Nov. 1 story by Milo F. Bryant in the Fresno Bee. He was asked his opinion as news broke that former defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo came out as gay. 

On Thursday, Hearst did not deny he made the remarks when pressed by reporters, nor did he apologize. But he did admit his comments were ``a little insensitive.''  

``I don't know, man. If I hurt somebody's feelings, I hate that I did it, because I don't want to be rude. But the comment was made,'' Hearst told the Oakland Tribune. Asked if his comment provided an accurate depiction of his feelings on the issue, he added, ``I don't know. I don't know.'' 

Though the comments were made three weeks ago, they were largely ignored until I contacted a source in the Bay Area after returning from Gay Games in Sydney this week. Having just learned of the comments, I wanted to know what the fallout had been, but then learned they had gone unnoticed. The local writers covering the team then saw the quotes and approached Hearst and 49ers officials for reaction.

Forty-Niners management, while regretting what Hearst said, gave no indication the 10-year running back would be reprimanded in any way. The 49ers ( 7-3) play Philadelphia on Monday night.

 ``I think it's unfortunate,'' 49ers general manager Terry Donahue told the Tribune. ``I don't think that is reflective of the attitude of the organization. Frankly, we're way too busy trying to block and tackle and hit passes to be involved in a social issue. ... I think it was unfortunate that those comments were made, and insensitive. I think we're just going to move on.'' 

San Francisco coach Steve Mariucci told the paper, ``I just learned of it. Really, I don't have anything to say about it. I knew Esera when he was in Green Bay. ... He was a heck of a guy and a heck of a player. But I don't want to get into what Garrison said.'' 

Hearst’s comments are the most virulent of those publicly uttered by players in the wake of Tuaolo’s declaration. But they almost certainly reflect an attitude shared by others, though not expressed so harshly. In a poll of 27 current Minnesota Vikings, for example, the St. Paul Pioneer Press this week found “nearly half said they would be uncomfortable with an openly gay teammate, and almost 60 percent said the NFL wasn't ready for a player to come out.”

In September, New York Giants rookie tight end Jeremy Shockey came in for criticism when he told Howard Stern that he hoped there were no gay players in the NFL. He later said,  “I guess I do regret saying it.” 

This week, the Human Rights Campaign, a well-established gay advocacy group, urged the NFL to address homophobia in the league. The group mentioned Hearst’s comments in its letter to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. "Tuaolo's experience and the lack of other 'out' individuals strongly suggest that most players are not aware of the NFL's current rules governing harassment and discrimination--and such rules are not being effectively enforced," read part of the HRC letter.

The league has a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and also has an anti-harassment policy that forbids "epithets, slurs or negative stereotypes.” The league, however, took no action against Shockey and it is unclear what, if anything, it will say about Hearst.

Nov. 22, 2002