Carl Nassib: The NFL Pioneer Who Embraced His Truth About Being Queer

Carl Nassib, the pioneering NFL player who made history as the first active NFL player to publicly declare that he is gay, announced his retirement from the game.
However, coming out with such a candid confession was easy feat for the player. "I stared at the phone for, like, an hour just looking at it, trying to hype myself up," Nassib shared during an interview in 2021. "The last thing I said was like, 'You know what — for the kids.' And pressed post."
Nassib expressed that he had ‘agonized’ over it for 15 years before making a decision to come out open. "I came out to my close friends and family years ago. And I wanted to do it publicly because I wanted to stay ahead of the narrative. I just wanted to own the story and make sure I did it on my terms. One of my biggest fears was that I would only be remembered for being gay."
His bold revelation received praise and support not only from his teammates but also from the NFL and many outside observers. While grateful for the support he received and the positivity he generated, Nassib expressed his hope that such announcements would no longer be necessary in the future. He envisioned a society where people could come out without fear of negative repercussions on their lives, relationships, or careers.
"When I decided to come out, it was not easy," Nassib admitted. "Personally, for my life, I didn't want to do it. But I felt a huge obligation to my community, to all the young kids out there who are struggling with their sexuality. If I could help just a few of them out, then I could sleep better at night."
Nassib also emphasized the importance of providing support and love to LGBTQ+ youths. After retirement, he will be working for his company Rayze, which is an innovative app that connects people with nonprofit organizations. More work for the queer community can be expected in the coming years from his end.