49ers first NFL club to film anti-gay bullying video

The San Francisco 49ers are the first NFL team to record a video condemning anti-gay violence and bullying.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports the 49ers took action in the spring, filming a minute-long segment featuring defensive players Ahmad Brooks, Ricky Jean Francois, Isaac Sopoaga and Donte Whitner. The decision was made after a fan gathered more than 16,000 signatures on Change.org that encouraged the 49ers.

The San Francisco Giants were also the first MLB team to film an “It Gets Better” video. Per the report, nine other baseball teams have followed suit. The campaign was started two years ago in order to help prevent suicides that are the result of bullying over sexual orientation.

The 49ers video is available on YouTube and Facebook. Here is the video on YouTube.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune