San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver apologized Wednesday night for anti-gay remarks he made during a Super Bowl media day interview.

The apology came one day after Culliver told a radio host that he would not welcome a gay teammate, particularly in the locker room.

"The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel," Culliver said in a statement released by the team. "It has taken me seeing them in print to realize that they are hurtful and ugly. Those discriminating feelings are truly not in my heart. Further, I apologize to those who I have hurt and offended, and I pledge to learn and grow from this experience."

The 49ers said in a statement earlier Wednesday they had addressed Culliver's comments, but didn't elaborate on whether the second-year player would face disciplinary action or a fine.

Culliver made his derogatory remarks during an interview Tuesday with comedian and radio personality Artie Lange, who said he was doing a "goofy interview and asking him all sorts of stupid questions" when he asked the cornerback "whether there is any gay guy on the 49ers."

Culliver, 24, planned to address his remarks formally at a news conference during the 49ers' media availability Thursday morning, according to his personal public relations representative, Theodore Palmer.

"Chris is very apologetic for any harm caused to anyone," Palmer told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "His intent was not that at all. He is one who celebrates the differences of others. All of this was just a big mistake. It was interpreted wrong."

The 49ers issued a statement before Culliver's apology, condemning his comments one day after Lange played the audio recording of his interview with the cornerback during his radio show.