Carl Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib today became the first active NFL player to come out as gay.

Nassib, who is entering his sixth NFL season and second with the Raiders, announced the news on Instagram, saying he wasn't doing it for the attention but because he felt representation and visibility were important.

"I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay," Nassib said in his video message from his home in West Chester, Pennsylvania. "I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest.

"I really have the best life. I got 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 really not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important."

Nassib added in a written message that followed the video that he "agonised over this moment for the last 15 years" and only recently decided to go public with his sexuality after receiving the support of family and friends.

"I am also incredibly thankful for the NFL, my coaches, and fellow players for their support," Nassib wrote. "I would not have been able to do this without them. From the jump I was greeted with the utmost respect and acceptance."

Nassib added that he was donating US$100,000 to the Trevor Project, a nonprofit that seeks to prevent suicides among LGBTQ youth.

"The NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said 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."

Nassib's announcement was greeted by Brian Burke, president of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. Burke has been a major proponent of LGBTQ rights for more than a decade since his late son Brendan came out as gay.

"Proud to support Carl and his decision to come out as the first active gay player in the NFL," Burke said. "I hope other sports executives will join me in publicly expressing their support as well."

More than a dozen NFL players have come out as gay after their careers were over.

Former University of Missouri defensive star Michael Sam was the first openly gay football player ever selected in the NFL draft, going in the seventh round to the then-St. Louis Rams in 2014. But he never made the final roster and retired in 2015 having never played in an NFL regular-season game.

Nassib is a sixth-year pro who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2016 in the third round (65th overall) out of Penn State. He played two seasons for the Browns and two for Tampa Bay before joining the Raiders in 2020. He has 20 1/2 sacks in 73 career games.

- AP