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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib came out as gay on Monday, becoming┬аthe first openly gay active┬аNFL┬аplayer in history.
тАЬJust wanted to take a quick moment and say that IтАЩm gay,тАЭ Nassib shared in a social media video┬аfrom his hometown of West Chester, Pennsylvania. тАЬIтАЩve been wanting to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable to get it off my chest.тАЭ
Nassib┬аplayed college football at Penn State University before being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2016. After a stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he signed a three-year contract with the Raiders in 2020.
тАЬI really have the best life,тАЭ Nassib said in his video. тАЬI got the best family, friends and job I could ask for. IтАЩm a pretty private person, so I hope you guys know that IтАЩm really not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important.тАЭ
He continued by announcing that he plans to continue working to increase visibility and awareness for the LGBTQ community.
тАЬI actually hope that one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are just not necessary, but until then, IтАЩm gonna do my best and do my part to cultivate a culture thatтАЩs accepting, thatтАЩs compassionate,тАЭ he said.┬атАЬIтАЩm gonna start by donating $100,000 to┬аThe Trevor Project. TheyтАЩre an incredible organization, theyтАЩre the No. 1 suicide prevention service for LGBTQ youth in America.тАЭ
With his announcement, Nassib becomes the only publicly gay active NFL player in history, as six former NFL stars have come out after retiring from the league. In 2014,┬аMichael Sam┬аbecame the first openly gay player to be drafted by the NFL, when he was selected by the St. Louis Rams, but he was released before the start of the regular season and never played in an NFL game.
After NassibтАЩs announcement, a number of celebs and public figures supported him on social media.
Carl Nassib said he agonized about this moment for the last 15 years. He deserves all the love. Kindness today is important. DonтАЩt let your negative tweets be the reason someone else decides not to live their truth. Let your positive ones be the reason they do.
тАФ Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) June 21, 2021
The ability to live an authentic life is so important.
Sending love and support to Carl Nassib of the @Raiders, who has bravely made history as the 1st active NFL player to come out. He has also donated $100K to @TrevorProject.
Representation and visibility matter! ?я╕ПтАН? https://t.co/E6hSOeIioW
тАФ Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 21, 2021
Proud of Carl Nassib for courageously living his truth. Representation matters and this historic moment will help so many LGBTQ+ youth. Thank you, Carl, for your incredible leadership.https://t.co/RXkYhUPKyT
тАФ Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) June 21, 2021
Representation matters. Thank you Carl Nassib for your incredible courage. https://t.co/uOVRdLD3dc
тАФ Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 21, 2021
It took me until I was in my late 60s to come out. Such is the power of the closet. And I know what itтАЩs like to have the eyes of the world on you when you do finally speak your truth.
Bravo, Carl Nassib. You have tackled a great deal today.
тАФ George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 22, 2021
Really proud of Carl Nassib. The first active football player to ever do so. I played with several guys who never were comfortable enough to go public. They were great teammates, & obviously very talented.
тАФ Warren Moon (@WMoon1) June 22, 2021
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