“I just wanted 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 getting it off my chest.”
Raiders DL Carl Nassib shared this video to social media and became the first active NFL player to announce he is gay. pic.twitter.com/gGXbZEP3R7
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 21, 2021
every day somebody gets to live their live authentically is a great day. every day they get to make life a little easier for somebody else is better. he did both. very happy for him. https://t.co/hCiCPBMW6Y
— World Famous Art Thief (@CalmSporting) June 21, 2021
Carl Nassib’s announcement on his IG page included this note which was particularly compelling, especially for those who may meet this news with “what’s the big deal/why does it matter?” pic.twitter.com/o1lQLoSqSa
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) June 21, 2021
i am also thoroughly pleased the first openly gay nfl player is playing for the raiders. i personally probably would have chosen the steelers or cowboys if i had agency over such things but the raiders works well enough.
— World Famous Art Thief (@CalmSporting) June 21, 2021
This is a historic day for LGBTQ+ representation in sports.
Carl Nassib, Penn State alum who plays DE for the Las Vegas Raiders, has come out as gay.
First active NFL player to do so, and in making the announcement, he donated $100K to @TrevorProject.https://t.co/Fzw5Hq7Q17 pic.twitter.com/z9xTkUPHWP
— Tony Paul (@TonyPaul1984) June 21, 2021
barstool: i don’t care if some player is gay, but why did he have to throw it in my face instead of living his life in quiet agony
— World Famous Art Thief (@CalmSporting) June 21, 2021
Since I’m not an ESPN watcher, I don’t know if it’s coincidental that it’s two women discussing this news?
Carl Nassib made history today–and his courage will help millions of people feel a little more accepted tomorrow. Discussed the news on @SportsCenter just now. pic.twitter.com/BGePDCmp9H
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) June 21, 2021
because I have a broken brain I went looking in carl nassib tweets for the usual maga reply goons chiming in with horrible shit and in five minutes I couldn’t find much. I’m sure there are some but… this made me very happy. bigotry can last forever but can also change fast.
— kilgore trout, dna harvester (@KT_So_It_Goes) June 21, 2021
Major Major Major Major
Good for him!
rikyrah
The video was so matter of fact.
Bravo, for him living his authentic life??
Brachiator
Very cool.
gwangung
Anyone going to make the comment that it was probably easier for Nassib to come out than if he were black?
Ah. Guess I just did. One less intersection to deal with.
Jackie
It sounds like his teammates are very supportive. I’m happy he gets to be himself. He waited 15 years. I wish him all the best.
I still hate the Raiders with all the passion of an ex-AFC Seahawks fan!?
West of the Rockies
I hope he is treated with respect from fans and teammates alike. He is a true leader.
Mary G
Not that I have much contact with the sports ball world, but it seems like this didn’t make much of a splash, just an “OK, cool, way past/about time, unintelligible discussion of basketball or baseball trade talks.”
TILE PREVIEW!
LeftCoastYankee
Back in 2013 when Robbie Rogers came out while still active in MLS, everyone said it would take forever for an active NFL player to feel safe coming out.
8 years is better than forever, and the overall reaction being “cool, good for him” would seem impossible back then.
Happy to say: good for him and good for us.
James E Powell
Carl Nassib was one of the focus players when he was with the Cleveland Browns on HBO’s Hard Knocks. One of his best scenes was explaining compound interest to his teammates. Seemed like a really nice guy. I wish him happiness.
Steeplejack
@Mary G:
Cool! Looks good.
HumboldtBlue
Good for Nassib. Smart guy, haven’t read a bad word about him and here’s hoping he’s a happy man,
Here’s a happy dog.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Mary G: Nice tile work, I’m going with both.
WestTexan70
As for it being two women commenting on the story, Mina Kimes is one of the most knowledgeable “x’s and o’s” NFL analysts in the country. I have a long background in the sport and she runs rings around me when it comes to understanding what is actually happening on the field.
eclare
@HumboldtBlue: Great video and perfect music for it!
eclare
@Mary G: Looks nice!
J R in WV
I hope he has a standout season. That’s a tough position to do well!
J R in WV
@Mary G:
Wow… that’s really cool, can’t wait to see the finished project!
Bruce K in ATH-GR
At my job (legal translator at a law firm), the time has come for performance self-evaluations. And all the questions about how you can improve yourself professionally and how the company can help you improve yourself professionally, and how well do you think you met your targets in last year’s self-evaluation for improving yourself professionally?
It all feels surreal. Like this past year was an ordinary year, not the hellscape of the pandemic.
My greatest accomplishment of the past year? I survived, and managed to handle the tasks that fell before me, and beyond that, I’ve got no bloody clue.
On a scale of 1-to-5, how well did I do at meeting last year’s self-improvement targets? One. Give more details as to why you answered as you did? COVID-19.
I don’t know why, but sometimes I feel like a military conscript (which I once was) answering questions about how he can make himself a better soldier (answer: survive long enough to get the hell out)
Sorry to rant like this. But I’m also feeling the isolation.
NotMax
@Bruce K in ATH-GR
Accomplishments:
Did not run, naked and screaming, into the night over the past year.
Did not invade any Capitols.
Did get vaccinated.
;)
NotMax
Testing. A previous comment in moderation.
Uncle Cosmo
@NotMax: So it’s not just me (previous thread re series with disappointing endings). I feel better somehow…
(Remember: In today’s world, if you’re not paranoid, you’re not paying attention.)
Delk
?
PaulWartenberg
Nassib played a couple years for the Bucs and was a decent rotational DL, not a superstar All-Pro but a reliable tackler, good for the occasional sack and solid in run defense. He’s one of those mid-level guys who keeps the lineup steady when there’s an injury or a change in the defensive packages. It was a shame they didn’t keep him in free agency but that’s how the pro game is today.
This is big news. He’s a guy still in his playing prime who can be a key role player and backup (even start a game or twelve) for you. How the Raiders treat him will be a sign how they and the other pro teams handle the reality that a number of athletes at any given time are gay.
Just Chuck
Awesome for Nassib, and may many more follow. Just on statistics alone, there’s undoubtedly more. But fuck the fucking Raiders. Hey Las Vegas, enjoy them while they stay, hope you didn’t put up too much for a new stadium or anything.