San Francisco 49ers Become First Full NFL Team to Release It Gets Better Video

The City by the Bay is making waves this week for sporting the first NFL team – the San Francisco 49ers – to release a video in an effort to halt anti-gay bullying.  Players Donte Whitner, Ahmad Brooks, Isaac Sopoaga, and Ricky Jean Francois have officially joined the “It Gets Better” campaign.

Previously, the San Francisco Giants took home the title of the first team in baseball to record an “It Gets Better” video. The Seattle Seahawks also recorded a video, but the 49ers feat is the first comprehensive team-inclusive video from the NFL, respectively.

This landmark decision to vocally support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth was inspired by a fan named Sean Chapin. Chapin collected more than 16,000 signatures on Change.org asking his favorite NFL team to join the effort. They obliged.

Whitner says in the video, “The San Francisco 49ers are proud to join ItGetsBetter.org, to let all LGBT teens know that it gets better. On behalf of the entire 49ers organization, we are on your side, and we promise it gets better.”

Chapin told the press via news release, “This is a proud day for San Francisco, as two of our professional teams have taken a bold stand against bullying. Let’s hope this is only the beginning, and that more NFL and professional sports teams around the country take this opportunity to speak up on behalf of LGBT fans and kids.”