NFL says ‘Football is gay’ in new commercial that makes clear its support of LGBTQ+ community – USA TODAY
As Pride Month comes to a close, the NFL has released a new commercial that makes clear its support and embrace of the LGBTQ+ community.
The 30-second spot begins with the line, “Football is gay” as light cheering plays in the background.
“Football is lesbian. Football is beautiful. Football is queer. Football is life. Football is exciting. Football is culture. Football is transgender. Football is queer. Football is heart. Football is power. Football is tough. Football is bisexual. Football is strong. Football is freedom. Football is American. Football is accepting. Football is everything. Football is for everyone.”
The video is a direct response to Carl Nassib’s public coming-out last week, according to Outsports. Nassib, a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, is the first active NFL player to be out.
“I am proud of the clear message this spot sends to the NFL’s LGBTQ+ fans: This game is unquestionably for you,” NFL senior director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Sam Rapoport, told Outsports. “I will be playing its first line over and over in my head all season.”
Rapoport told USA TODAY Sports last week: “It’s OK to not fully understand the LGBTQ+ experience for you to be an ally. You don’t need to be an expert in all the terms. You just need to try.”
Along with his announcement last week, Nassib donated $100,000 to the Trevor Project, a leading national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention help for LGBTQ+ youth. The NFL followed suit with its stated support of The Trevor Project in the commercial, while reiterating the fact that LGBTQ+ youth with at least one accepting adult in their lives have a 40 percent lower risk of attempting suicide.
“If you love this game, you are welcome here,” @NFL wrote on Twitter. “Football is for all. Football is for everyone. The NFL stands by the LGBTQ+ community today and every day.”
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.
