Last night, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib announced he is gay on Instagram.
During his announcement, he donated $100,000 to LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention group The Trevor Project.
1. With over a half-million likes, support is pouring in for Nassib's announcement, including his own team:
Proud of you, Carl 🖤
2. Former Notre Dame lineman and NFL undrafted free agent Mike Golic Jr. reiterated why Nassib coming out matters.
Carl Nassib’s announcement on his IG page included this note which was particularly compelling, especially for those who may meet this news with “what’s the big deal/why does it matter?”
3. All-time trailblazing quarterback Warren Moon shared his thoughts.
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.
4. Speaking of trailblazers, tennis legend Billie Jean King has entered the chat.
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! 🏳️🌈 https://t.co/E6hSOeIioW
5. Recently retired New England Patriot great Julian Edelman.
Awesome moment. Spreading the love to the @TrevorProject very classy move. ❤️ https://t.co/pOWGsvRMUW
6. Future Hall-of-Famer and fellow pass rusher JJ Watt.
Good for you Carl. Glad you feel comfortable enough to share and hopefully someday these types of announcements will no longer be considered breaking news. https://t.co/eevr8cgRay
7. Former Steelers defensive back Ryan Clark.
Good for you Carl Nassib!! Live your truth brother.
8. His former Penn State teammate and New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley.
Much respect brudda ✊🏾 https://t.co/1G2ewVOWje
9. Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden showed his support...in the most Gruden way possible.
Jon Gruden showing his support for Carl Nassib 👏
10. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement about the news.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell weighs in on #Raiders DE Carl Nassib’s “courageous” coming out.
11. His college coach, Penn State's James Franklin, released a statement and gave a generous donation to The Trevor Project.
James Franklin’s statement about Carl Nassib.
12. The official NFL page shared the link to The Trevor Project because of Nassib.
You can be that person who saves a life. 🏳️🌈♥️ For more information on how you can help the @TrevorProject, a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, visit https://t.co/yav26eFeDT
13. This reaches out to all areas of the sports world, including sports journalism.
An active @NFL player has come out as gay. So many tears right now. So many thoughts. So much joy. Thank you Carl. And welcome to the team. https://t.co/Jt0hdqO4tV
14. Reporters and journalists understand the history of moments like this in the NFL.
Anyone who thinks this wouldn't have happened in the NFL's olden days should probably Google Harold Lombardi. Vince's brother, who was gay, and Vince Lombardi told his players more than once that if he heard any homophobic slurs from them, they'd be outta there.
15. Former Buccaneer R.K. Russell, who came out as bisexual in 2019, showed his support.
Congratulations to Carl Nassib! Ball out this season brother! Happy #Pride
16. He also went on to reiterate that LGBTQ+ athletes are not new to the NFL:
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.
17. Nassib is probably most recognized for his hilarious personality on HBO's Hard Knocks.
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. Congrats to him, happy pride.
18. The younger generation of athletes are showing love, too, like Russian hockey player Igor Larionov II.
so happy for carl nassib! hopefully one day being yourself won’t be breaking news & just the norm. but nonetheless a big step & happy for nassib! #PRIDE
19. And of course, the man who came out during his draft process, ex-Missouri defensive end and first openly gay draft pick Michael Sam.
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.
Show your support for Carl Nassib in the comments below!
