Raiders’ Carl Nassib Becomes First Openly Gay Player On Active NFL Roster – Forbes
Topline
Carl Nassib, who in the off-season became the first active NFL player to come out as gay, has made the final roster for the Las Vegas Raiders, Outsports first reported, making him likely to become the first openly gay athlete to play in a regular season game.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Key Facts
The Raiders released their final regular season roster on Tuesday, with Nassib, 28, as one of the team’s defensive ends.
While he isn’t a starting defensive end, he is expected to play often as a primary backup, according to Outsports, making his chances good for stepping onto the field for the Raiders’ first regular season game, September 13, against the Baltimore Ravens.
Nassib came out in June in a video where he also announced a $100,000 donation to the Trevor Project, which helps young LGBTQ people in mental health crises.
It will be Nassib’s sixth NFL season and the second of his three-year, $25 million contract with the Raiders, according to Pro Football Network and Outsports.
Crucial Quote
“Not one person, from my point of view, has treated him any different,” quarterback Derek Carr told ESPN in August, at the beginning of the league’s preseason. “I just want to make sure that he knows that, man, we just want him to play as hard as he can so we can win a Super Bowl. That’s what we’re here to do.”
Key Background
The league has also spoken in support of Nassib, tweeting “The NFL is proud of you, Carl” after his announcement. Only one other player has been out while a player in the league: Michael Sam, a University of Missouri defensive end, announced he was gay before the 2014 NFL draft. Sam struggled in the league and never joined a team’s active roster for regular season play, according to the Sporting News, transferring to the Canadian Football League briefly before retiring.
Big Number
16. That’s how many gay and bisexual NFL players have played in the league, according to a list kept by Outsports. Retired running back Dave Kopay came out in 1975, the Advocate reported, making him the first.
Further Reading
Carl Nassib makes Raiders roster, first out gay player in NFL history (Outsports)
Las Vegas Raiders’ Carl Nassib Becomes Only Active NFL Player To Say He’s Gay (Forbes)
There have been 16 out gay and bi football players in the NFL’s 102-year history (Outsports)