[News] Las Vegas Raiders defensive end, Carl Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay

Carl Nassib has become the first active NFL player to come out as gay.

 

The 28-year-old made the announcement in a video he shared on Instagram.

 

“What’s up, people. I’m Carl Nassib. I’m at my house here in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay,” Nassib, a defensive lineman, said in the video.

 

“I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest.”

 

“I’m a pretty private person so I hope you guys know that I’m really not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important,” he said.

 

“I actually hope that like one day, videos like this and the whole coming-out process are just not necessary.

 

“But until then, I’m going to do my best and do my part to cultivate a culture that’s accepting, that’s compassionate and I’m going to start by donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project.”

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carl Nassib (@carlnassib)

 

In an online written message, Nassib said he had “agonised over this moment for the last 15 years” and decided to go public with the support of his family and friends.

 

 

Nassib signed for the Raiders in 2020 on a three-year, $25m free-agent deal.