A comedian had asked him on Media Day if any gay men had pursued him during Super Bowl week.

“I don’t do the gay guys, man. I don’t do that,” Culliver said. “Ain’t got no gay people on the team. They gotta get up outta here if they do. Can’t be with that sweet stuff.’’

He went on to say he would not accept a gay teammate.

“Nah. Can’t be ... in the locker room, nah,” he said. “You’ve gotta to come out 10 years later after that.”

...He seemed contrite Thursday, but those original words of his didn’t come out of nowhere. He ­either believes them or miraculously, in a span of a few days, he has seen the light.

“I’m sorry I offended anyone,’’ he said. “Those were very ugly comments, and that’s not what I feel in my heart. Hopefully, I can learn and grow from this experience and situation.’’

...His words were conciliatory but wouldn’t be mistaken for embracing.

Is the NFL ready for an openly gay player?

“I don’t know,’’ he said. “If it is, it’s upon that person to do whatever he or she feels.’’

Would he welcome a gay teammate?

“If it is, then it is,’’ he said. “Everybody’s treated equally in our locker room.’’

What has he learned from this?

“Keep my composure and not to do no interviews like that,’’ he said.

He said he has “quite a few relatives who are homosexuals.’’ He said that he talked with them about his comments and that they understood where he was coming from. Wherever that is.