AIDER COMES OUT, MAKES NFL HISTORY

Raiders DE becomes first active NFLer to declare he's gay

Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib on Monday became the first active NFL player to come out as gay.

“What’s up people,” Nassib said in a video posted to Instagram on Monday. “I’m at my house in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now but finally feel comfortable getting it off my chest. I really have the best life, 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 not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important. I actually hope that one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are not necessary, but until then I will do my best and my part to cultivate a culture that’s accepting and compassionate and I’m going to start by donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project. They’re an incredible organization, they’re the number one suicide-prevention service for LGBTQ youth in America.”

The 28-year-old defensive end was a third-round pick in the 2016 draft, previously played for the Browns and Buccaneers before signing a three-year, $25 million deal with Las Vegas in 2020. The former Penn State walk-on has played in 73 games over five NFL season, starting 37 of them while totaling 20.5 sacks, 143 career tackles, and one interception.

According to Outsports, 15 NFLers have come out after their careers ended, while former University of Missouri star Michael Sam became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL in 2014. He never appeared in an NFL game and retired a year later due to what he described as mental health reasons.

Nassib’s mid-Pride Month announcement was quickly met with positive support from many in the NFL community — including his brother Ryan, a Giants 2013 draft pick.

“Couldn’t be more proud to be your brother,” Ryan replied on Carl’s post. “Love you Carl.”

“Proud of you brotha!,” Las Vegas teammate Solomon Thomas commented on Nassib’s Instagram post.

“Much respect brudda,” tweeted Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who was Nassib’s teammate at Penn State in 2015.

Nassib also received plaudits from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

“The NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today,” Goddell wrote in a statement. “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.”

It’s been overwhelming for Nassib, who is still finding his place in history — football and otherwise.

“Right now, I am in a moment of gratitude and relief,” he wrote in a message posted along with the groundbreaking video. “Sadly, I have agonized over this moment for the last 15 years. Only until recently, thanks to my family and friends, especially Connor, Cason, and Francis, did it seem possible for me to say publicly and proudly that I’m gay. I am also incredibly thankful for the NFL, my coaches, and fellow players for their support. I would not have been able to do this without them. From the jump, I was greeted with the utmost respect and acceptance.

“I truly love my life and cannot understand why I have been blessed with so much. I feel especially thankful to have had so much support when many who came before — and many even now — do not. I stand on the shoulders of giants, incredibly people who have paved the way for me to have this opportunity. I do not know all the history behind our courageous LGBTQ community, but I am eager to learn and to help continue the fight for equality and acceptance.”