PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — "I'm gay."
For the first time in the 102-year history of the NFL, a player on an active roster said those words publicly, with a desire to cultivate a more accepting and compassionate culture for LGBTQ people.
"I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest," said former Penn State defensive lineman Carl Nassib in a minute-long Instagram video he recorded while at home in West Chester. The former Big Ten defensive player of the year, an alumnus of Malvern Prep, now plays with the Las Vegas Raiders.
"I really have the best life. I've got the best family, friends and job a guy could ask for."
Nassib also announced that he has made a $100,000 donation to The Trevor Project, which is the nation's largest LGBTQ youth suicide prevention organization.
Trevor Project CEO Amit Paley expressed both gratitude for Nassib's donation and hope that his decision to come out publicly would make a huge difference.
"This gift is going to allow us to expand our services, and Carl’s words are gonna send a really important message to LGBTQ young people everywhere: that you can be successful no matter who you are, who you love — and that’s so important."
In his video, he said that he was not coming out for attention, and he could not have gone public without support from the NFL and his Raiders teammates and coaches.
He recognized the significance of being seen.
"Representation and visibility are so important. I actually hope that one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are just not necessary," he explained.
"I'm going to do my part to cultivate a culture that's accepting, as compassionate."
Nassib's donation is fueled by studies he cited that show one accepting adult lowers the risk of LGBTQ youth suicide by 40%.
"Whether you're a friend, a parent, a coach or a teammate, you can be that person" he said.
Shortly after Nassib's announcement, the Raiders and the NFL shared their support on social media.
"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."
Penn State University football head coach James Franklin, in a statement, said he was proud of Nassib for "his courage and voice." He said he was not surprised by the announcement, because "if you know Carl, you know his strength."
Franklin said Nassib inspired him and his wife to donate $10,000 to The Trevor Project as well.
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.
Former University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam publicly came out in February 2014. He became the first openly gay NFL Draft pick when the St. Louis Rams chose him later that spring, but he got only as far as the practice squad of the Rams and Dallas Cowboys without making their active rosters.
More than a dozen NFL players have come out as gay after their careers were over.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.