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After Coming Out, NFL Player Carl Nassib Donates $100k to Fight LGBTQ+ Suicide

Published

3 years ago

July 2, 2021

Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib announced on June 21 that he’s gay, making history by becoming the first active NFL player to come out.
He also said that he’s donating $100,000 to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that focuses on suicide prevention efforts among the LGBTQ+ community.
One day after Carl’s announcement, the NFL has matched it by also donating $100,000 to The Trevor Project

Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib made history by announcing on June 21 that he’s gay, the first active NFL player to come out.

Carl announced on Instagram: “I just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay. I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest.”

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A post shared by Carl Nassib (@carlnassib)

Carl also said in the video that he’s not doing it to get attention but thinks that “representation and visibility are so important.”

“I actually hope that one day,” he added, “videos like this and the whole coming out process are just not necessary.”

Carl made a $100,000 donation to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that provides “crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ+) young people under 25.”

“We’re proud of you, Carl,” the official NFL account said in response, and NFL commissioner Roger Goddell also weighed in positively.

“The NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today. Representation matters,” Goodell remarked, according to People. “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.”

Raiders owner Mark Davis said Carl’s coming out doesn’t change his opinion of him as a person or as a Raider. “It’s 2021. All the more power to Carl,” he said.

And what was Coach Jon Gruden’s reaction?

“I learned a long time ago what makes a man different is what makes him great,” he said.

One day after Carl’s announcement, the NFL has matched it by also donating $100,000 to The Trevor Project. And two days ago, the league released a video titled “Football is for everyone” where it declared “Football is gay.”

If you love this game, you are welcome here. Football is for all. Football is for everyone.

The NFL stands by the LGBTQ+ community today and every day.

For more information on how you can help the @TrevorProject, visit https://t.co/YtauzLAHIF pic.twitter.com/bkdWkAZ3vF— NFL (@NFL) June 28, 2021