“I felt an obligation to the LGBTQ+ community to bring representation – to bring visibility – to a very, very popular industry that doesn’t have a lot of representation. It wasn’t easy. Personally, for my life, I didn’t want to do it. But I felt a huge obligation to my community – to all the young kids out there who are struggling with their sexuality. If I could help just a few out then I really could sleep better at night.”
Carl Nassib
Sports have always been a big part of Carl Nassib’s life. One might even say it was part of his DNA since his father played football for the University of Delaware and his brother played football for Syracuse University before playing for the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars. In high school, Carl lettered in football, basketball, and track and field. He continued playing football at Penn State, where he was named a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten’s Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year for 2015. During the National Football League’s draft in April 2016, his dream of playing professional football came true when he was selected by the Cleveland Browns. He continued living that dream as he went on to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Las Vegas Raiders.
With his drive, determination, hard work, and talent, Carl Nassib definitely has what it takes to be a professional athlete. However, there was a part of Nassib that could easily derail a career in the hyper-masculine world of professional sports. Carl Nassib is gay. Never before had an active NFL player come out as gay and it was uncertain how the other players and the fans would react to a player being open about their homosexuality. So for years, Nassib chose not to disclose that aspect of his life.
That all changed on June 21, 2021, when Carl Nassib publicly came out as gay. Although he is a very private person, he chose to come out in an effort to help others who are struggling with their sexuality. (according to) Having just one accepting adult can lessen the risk of an LGBTQ youth attempting suicide by over 40%. Nassib knows first-hand the challenges many in the LGBTQ community face and is using his broad outreach to let them know they are not alone. He went even further to help others and bring awareness to this issue when he donated $100,000 to the Trevor Project, an organization that staffs phone lines for LGBTQ+ people who are struggling with suicide. Nassibs contribution was matched by both the NFL and the Las Vegas Raiders.
While it has long been assumed that an openly gay person would be rejected in the sports world, the reaction to Nassib’s disclosure has been very positive and affirming. He knew that his teammates would be supportive and they have not disappointed him. The New York Giants star running back Saquan Barkley, who played alongside Nassib in college at PennState, tweeted: “Much respect brudda”. Statements from others in the NFL and from many of the fans have shown that Nassib’s openness has not hurt his career. As former NFL player and sportswriter, R.K. Russell pointed out after the Raiders were in the playoffs, “Carl Nassib is proving that coming out is not a distraction to a team or the game and that you can win big when your team can accept and support its players.” The day Nassib came out publicly, t-shirts and jerseys with his name on them were the top-sellers at the NFL’s partner, Fanatics.
Although the full impact of Nassibs actions may never be known, Carl Nassib’s courage to come out publicly as gay has definitely been an inspiration for many in the LGBTQ community and opened the door for future athletes to feel comfortable being their authentic selves. The NFL created a video giving a glimpse into the impact Nassib coming out has made.
Watch on YouTube: “It Shifted Our World” | How Carl Nassib inspired a generation of athletes
“The NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today. Representation matters. We share his hope that someday soon statements like his will not be newsworthy as we march toward full equality for the LGBTQ+ community. We wish Carl the best of luck this upcoming season.”
Statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell