Raiders Player Comes Out As Openly Gay

Image: @carlnassib via Instagram

The Oakland Raiders moved to Las Vegas after the 2019 NFL season, so there hasn’t much reason to root for them since. But there’s a very good reason to root for them now. Monday afternoon, Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib announced in an Instagram video that’s gay, becoming the first openly gay active player to come out in the 101-year history of the NFL.

Las Vegas Raiders DE Carl Nassib comes out as gay

He also announced a $100K donation to the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ youth. pic.twitter.com/5Xobd9s0pp

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 21, 2021

“What’s up people. I’m Carl Nassib, I’m here at my house in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay,” the defensive lineman announced. “I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest.”

Here’s the message from Raiders DE Carl Nassib announcing publicly today, during Pride Month, that he is gay pic.twitter.com/1VA2XSfL5F

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) June 21, 2021

Nassib also posted a series of text announcements with his Instagram video saying, “I have agonized over this moment for the last 15 years.” He also said in his spoken statement, “ 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 and they’re truly doing incredible thing.”

NFL history for @Raiders player Carl Nassib, first active gay player. https://t.co/SW5FSwtOEK

— Outsports (@outsports) June 21, 2021

According to OutSports, there have been 15 gay players in NFL history, but most came out only after they’d already retired. A few others got cut in training camp, and never made the field for a single snap in a real game.  Whereas Carl Nassib is a current fifth-year NFL player and still in the prime of his career.

“This news about Carl Nassib is so upsetting. Glad I don’t watch the NFL anymore.” pic.twitter.com/4RkIpsDZVz

— anthony✈️ (@happyjetsfan_) June 21, 2021

Carl Nassib is not a huge NFL superstar, but he’s good enough that the Raiders signed him to a 3-year, $25 million deal prior to last season. He’s basically a very solid backup player. But in Septemkber he will be the first openly gay player ever to step on the field in a real NFL game, and his jersey is going to sell like mad.