Carl Nassib #94 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates a 31-26 win over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Inglewood, Ca
Carl Nassib #94 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates a 31-26 win over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Inglewood, California.
Harry How | Getty Photographs
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib introduced on Monday that he’s homosexual, changing into the primary participant on an lively Nationwide Soccer League roster to come back out.
“I simply needed to take a fast second to say that I am homosexual,” Nassib stated in an Instagram publish. “I have been that means to do that for some time now however lastly really feel snug getting it off my chest. I actually have the perfect life, the perfect household, buddies and job a man can ask for.”
Nassib additionally introduced he’s donating $100,000 to The Trevor Challenge, a nonprofit that gives suicide and disaster prevention providers to LGBTQ youth.
“I am a fairly personal particular person so I hope you guys know that I am not doing this for consideration. I simply suppose that illustration and visibility are so vital,” Nassib stated within the publish. “I truly hope that at some point, movies like this and the entire popping out course of usually are not needed, however till then I’ll do my greatest and my half to domesticate a tradition that is accepting and compassionate.”
Nassib added that he had agonized for the previous 15 years about whether or not to publicly come out, and that solely not too long ago he felt it was potential to make the announcement.
Nassib, 28, is getting into his second 12 months with the Raiders and his sixth season within the NFL. He was named the Massive Ten Defensive Participant of the Yr at Penn State in 2015.
“The NFL household is pleased with Carl for courageously sharing his fact at present. Illustration issues. We share his hope that sometime quickly statements like his will not be newsworthy as we march towards full equality for the LGBTQ+ group. We want Carl the perfect of luck this coming season,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated in a press release.
In 2014, Michael Sam turned the primary brazenly homosexual participant to be chosen within the NFL draft when the St. Louis Rams chosen him within the seventh spherical. Sam was minimize simply earlier than the common season began.
Jason Collins, who’s now retired, turned the primary lively brazenly homosexual NBA participant in 2013. Two weeks earlier that 12 months, WNBA’s Brittney Griner got here out as lesbian.