Carl Nassib's historic coming out on Monday is still sending shockwaves through the sports world and beyond. Nassib became the first active NFL player ever to come out as gay and is expected to become the first out gay player to play in an NFL regular-season game when he suits up for the Las Vegas Raiders later this year.
Just as good, his NFL compatriots have been overwhelming in their support for him since the news broke.
Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis voiced his support for Nassib in a statement to ESPN. “It's 2021. All the more power to Carl. It doesn't change my opinion of him as a person or as a Raider,” Davis said.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden also chimed in with kind words for Nassib, saying, “I learned a long time ago what makes a man different is what makes him great.”
Notable among the current NFL players that responded was New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley, who played with Nassib in college at Penn State University.
Other current and former NFL players, including JJ Watt and Warren Moon, publicly lauded Nassib as well.
Nassib also received support from fellow out former NFL players, including Michael Sam and Dave Kopay, the first former NFL player ever to come out as gay.
A number of NFL teams joined in the Pride party.
James Franklin, Nassib's head coach during his time at Penn State, expressed he was “even more proud” of Nassib for living his truth.
DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, stated the union “supports Carl and his work with the Trevor Project is proof that he – like our membership – is about making his community and this world a better place not for themselves, but for others.”
The Trevor Project also thanked Nassib for his $100,000 donation, which the NFL will be matching in support of Nassib.
Get ready to grab your Carl Nassib jersey!
Click to Page 2 and learn: Who is matching Nassib's donation to Trevor project?; What is Nassib's political party? How long will it be for his jersey to become the top seller? What's Dan Savage think? And what do the gays look like “on their way to carl nassib's instagram?”
