Raiders’ Carl Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay

“I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest.”

In a act of courageousness, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib recently became the first active player in the history of the NFL to come out as gay.

Nassib is entering his sixth NFL season and second with the Raiders, announced the news on IG, saying he wasn’t doing it for the attention but because he felt representation and visibility were important.

“I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay,” Nassib said in his video message from his home in West Chester, Pennsylvania. “I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest.

“I really have the best life. I got the best family, friends and job a guy can ask for. I’m a pretty private person, so I hope you guys know that I’m really not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important.”

Nassib added in a written message that followed the video that he “agonized over this moment for the last 15 years” and only recently decided to go public with his sexuality after receiving the support of family and friends.

“I am also incredibly thankful for the NFL, my coaches, and fellow players for their support,” Nassib wrote. “I would not have been able to do this without them. From the jump I was greeted with the utmost respect and acceptance.”

Nassib, whose announcement came during Pride Month, added that he was donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit that seeks to prevent suicides among LGBTQ youth.

Nassib’s announcement was received with a great deal of support including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell who stated:

“The NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today. Representation matters. We share his hope that someday soon statements like his will no longer be newsworthy as we march toward full equality for the LGBTQ+ community. We wish Carl the best of luck this coming season.”

Others to throw their support around the brave and audacious announcement include Brian Burke, president of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association and many others.

While there have been more than a dozen NFL players to come out as gay after their careers were over, Nassib is the first to make an announcement while still active which increases the significance of this bold step.

While this may not have been Nassib's intent, the hope is that his brave announcement will forge a pathway for others to step into their true authentic selves and not let the fear of what others might say, think or feel hold them back from being who they're supposed to be.

Now that’s audacious!