The Las Vegas Raiders' Carl Nassib just became the first active NFL player to come out as gay.
The defensive lineman made the historic announcement with an Instagram post.
Sharing the news in the heart of Pride Month, Nassib stressed he felt it was important to make himself visible to the public.
He said:
"What's up, people. I'm Carl Nassib. 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 I 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."
Nassib explicitly stated his motivation for coming out.
"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 do my part to cultivate a culture that's accepting and that's compassionate."
Nassib closed the video by announcing his pledge to donate $100,000 to The Trevor Project, a national non-profit organization dedicated to "[ending] suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people."
You can be that person who saves a life. \n\nFor more information on how you can help the @TrevorProject, a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/\u00a0pic.twitter.com/QHpzi4axEA
— NFL (@NFL) 1624365000
We stand beside you, Carl.\n\nJoin us by contributing to the @TrevorProject and all it does for LGBTQ+ youth: https://thetrevorproject.org\u00a0pic.twitter.com/TI51FbQPaL
— NFL (@NFL) 1624392747
Nassib, a 28-year old veteran who's gearing up for his sixth season in the NFL, has undoubtedly paved the way for countless fellow LGBTQ athletes as well as young fans everywhere.
@LZGranderson/Twitter
Good for you Carl.\n\nGlad you feel comfortable enough to share and hopefully someday these types of announcements will no longer be considered breaking news.https://twitter.com/sportscenter/status/1407097739918385152\u00a0\u2026
— JJ Watt (@JJ Watt) 1624323125
In an additional message included in his post, Nassib shared he could've never felt so courageous without all those who came before him.
He said:
"I stand on the shoulders of giants, incredible people who paved the way for me to have this opportunity."
"I do not know all the history behind our courageous LBGTQ community, but I'm eager to learn and to help continue the fight for equality and acceptance."
People on Instagram showered Nassib with love and support.
spicedbrown/Instagram
paulkemper_/Instagram
The Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL, rival teams, his alma maters and NFL stars congratulated Nassib on Twitter where the NFL and Nassib's team shared his announcement.
Proud of you, Carl pic.twitter.com/R9aJxYFefW
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Las Vegas Raiders) 1624314532
Full statement from Carl Nassib. #PRIDEpic.twitter.com/92cSSDqZoR
— NFL (@NFL) 1624318494
Carl Nassib thank you for owning your truth and especially your donation to the @TrevorProject. LBGTQ people are more likely to commit suicide than heterosexuals. I hope and pray people will take note to this. Thank you again Carl and look forward to seeing you play on the field.
— Michael Sam (@Michael Sam) 1624351970
Nittany Nation is so proud of you, Carl \n\n#WeArepic.twitter.com/8PetGjqp2a
— Penn State Athletics (@Penn State Athletics) 1624316587
Malvern Prep stands with Carl. Proud of our alumnus, today more than ever. #mpproud Carl Nassibpic.twitter.com/wYC6HTD1rp
— Malvern Prep (@Malvern Prep) 1624319547
pic.twitter.com/TvXEikwKeY
— NFL (@NFL) 1624320387
The NFL community is with you, Carl. (via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/PovkVGMHTJ
— NFL (@NFL) 1624321216
Awesome moment. Spreading the love to the @TrevorProject very classy move. https://twitter.com/nfl/status/1407104118573830144\u00a0\u2026
— Julian Edelman (@Julian Edelman) 1624316601
"It takes courage. It takes so much strength... I'm proud to call Carl one of my brothers." \n\nDeAngelo Hall and @MarcRoss show strong support to @Raiders DE Carl Nassib coming out as an active NFL player pic.twitter.com/pboULHA7aL
— NFL Network (@NFL Network) 1624318257
I\u2019m so happy Carl feels safe to live his truth as an NFL player. But even more importantly, he just helped countless other people feel just a little bit safer to live theirs. That\u2019s leadership.\nhttps://twitter.com/bleacherreport/status/1407095401287589892\u00a0\u2026
— Zach Banner (@Zach Banner) 1624377065
The @NFL is not changing; LGBTQ+ athletes are a part of every sport and always have been. The only thing changing is the amount of love, acceptance, and comfortability we feel every day just being ourselves and being supported by our teammates, coaches, and the game's fans.
— R.K. Russell (@R.K. Russell) 1624317015
Much love to a member of our NFL family. https://twitter.com/nfl/status/1407104118573830144\u00a0\u2026
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seattle Seahawks) 1624320312
Proud of Carl Nassib on coming out yesterday. The #RaiderNation, the whole country, and I stand with you.
— Bo Jackson (@Bo Jackson) 1624385731
Much respect brudda https://twitter.com/bleacherreport/status/1407095401287589892\u00a0\u2026
— Saquon Barkley (@Saquon Barkley) 1624313797
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.
— Warren Moon (@Warren Moon) 1624326212
some things are bigger than a rivalry https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1407103250134827010\u00a0\u2026
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Los Angeles Chargers) 1624319539
My favorite part about the Carl Nassib news is that for me, he will forever be defined as the guy on Hard Knocks who gave his teammates financial literacy lessons before film session. \n\nCongrats to him, happy pride.pic.twitter.com/HapjoH691Y
— Pat Elliott (@Pat Elliott) 1624316849
Perhaps Nassib's announcement will be the first of more to come, making the NFL a more and more inclusive and representative space.
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