49ers Legend Ronnie Lott -- Chris Culliver Is DEAD WRONG

Chris Culliver should have paid closer attention to Barack Obama's pro-gay rights inauguration speech ... this according to one of the greatest 49ers of all time ... Ronnie Lott.

We spoke to Lott in the wake of Culliver's anti-gay comments -- when he told Artie Lange gay players shouldn't be allowed in the team locker room (see video below).

Lott responded, "Everything [Obama] mentioned in that speech I stand for-- inviting gays and inviting people of color, inviting all of us to understand what we're doing right now, is the right thing."

FYI -- Obama talked about the importance of gay rights during his speech ... telling Americans, "Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law."

So far, the 49ers have not said if Culliver will play in Sunday's game.