These three words, he hadn’t known how to say them for over 15 years. It is finally simply, in a video filmed from his sunny garden that he announced it: “I am gay”. Carl Nassib thus became, Monday, the first professional player in activity in the history of the NFL to claim his homosexuality, in full month of pride, and in a sport where the law of silence still dominates.
“I just wanted to say I’m gay (…) I hope that one day videos like this and coming out won’t be necessary anymore” Courage and Carl Nassib, 1st active NFL player at pronounce these 3 words “I am gay” 🏳️🌈 #carlnassib https://t.co/GH5DAi9iQb pic.twitter.com/wBn5c7rEDd
– Philippe Berry (@ptiberry) June 21, 2021
“I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while, but I finally feel comfortable enough to take that weight off my shoulders,” said the 28-year-old defensive end. Several players had made theirs after retiring from the sport, the most watched in the United States. In 2014, a university championship player, Michael Sam, was selected by the St. Louis Rams, the NFL team in Los Angeles, after revealing his homosexuality. But he had been released from his contract after playing a few preseason games and never appeared in regular season games in the NFL.
Carl Nassib has already played five NFL seasons and joined the Raiders after passing through two other teams, the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Buccaneers. His contract in Las Vegas runs until 2022.
For the “visibility” LBGTQ
The young man said he hoped his example would make other gay athletes more visible. “I’m a rather private person so I hope you understand I’m not doing this to attract attention.” I just believe that the representation and visibility (of the LGBTQ community) is so important, ”he said.
“Besides, I hope that one day videos like this and the whole coming-out process are no longer necessary, but until then, I will do my best to develop a culture of tolerance and compassion, ”he added. In his video, Carl Nassib also announces to donate 100,000 dollars to the association The Trevor Project, an NGO for suicide prevention among young people from the LGBTQ community in the United States.
Support from his teammates
Monday, the Raiders welcomed the approach of Carl Nassib, saying they are “proud” of their player on the same social network. League boss Roger Goodell imitated them in a statement: “The NFL family are proud of Carl, who bravely shared his truth today. “Bravo,” also said Wade Davis II, who is one of the handful of former NFL players who have revealed their homosexuality after retirement.
The coming out of the defensive player from Las Vegas comes during the “month of the pride”, which celebrates each year in June in the United States the rights of the homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people (LGBTQ). In a written message accompanying his video, Carl Nassib confided in the “torments” endured “during the last 15 years”, until he managed to muster the courage to come out, thanks to the support of his relatives . “I really have the best life, the best family, the best friends and the best job a guy could dream of,” said the player. “Go Raiders! “