Nfl gay quarterback
"I'm the happiest and healthiest I've ever been in my life and that means the world to me."
Over the course of the NFL's 103-year history, only a handful of players have ever reach out as gay. In a sport where many players feel that their career could be at risk if they came out, it takes a lot of courage to authentically live their authenticity. In fact, it wasn't until 2021 that an active player actually opened up about his sexuality. But thanks to the bravery of all the players who have decided to share their story so far, there's dream that the NFL will be a more inclusive place going forward.
Find out which football stars own come out as gay…
11 Celebs Who Dated Bachelor Nation Stars
View Story1. Carl Nassib
Carl Nassib, who currently plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is the first active NFL player to approach out as gay. In an Instagram video mutual in June 2021, Carl opened up about his sexuality and expressed his gratitude for the back he'd been given so far from his teammates and coaches.
"I just wanted to take a swift moment to say that I'm gay," he said. "I've been meaning to do this for a while now but finall
Carl Nassib became the first openly queer active NFL player in 2021. A few years later, his historic announcement is being immortalized in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Nassib's No. 94 Oakland Raiders jersey is creature displayed at the museum in its "Entertainment Nation" demonstrate. While Nassib's jersey was first set up May 21, the NFL tweeted about the honor Wednesday.
The jersey is the one worn by Nassib during the team's Week 1 game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. It was the first jersey worn by Nassib after he came out as gay.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Nassib initially revealed the Smithsonian news during an appearance on "The Pivot" podcast — hosted by former NFL player Ryan Clark — in May. During that interview, Nassib talked about his uncle, who served as an inspiration for Nassib to come out as gay.
Nassib spoke to the Washington Post about his jersey being displayed in the Smithsonian, saying it was "really important that gay stories obtain told and remembered."
Nassib's announcement was met with support around the league. The Raiders, Nassib's former college coach and his former teammate
He wonders where all the years went.
It has been 23 NFL seasons since Kopay, a running back for five teams in nine seasons, stunned the sports world by coming out as a homosexual. He was the first major professional team-sport athlete to do so, but few have followed. Guard Roy Simmons, who played 58 games for the Giants and Redskins from 1979-83, came out on the Phil Donahue Show in 1992, but that was it.
"I'm the token queer,'' Kopay muses. "I'm it.''
The conviction that somewhere between 5 and 10 percent of the general population is homosexual suggests that 75 to 150 of the NFL's 1,500 players are closeted.
| Troy Aikman has denied unyielding rumors he is gay. |
"Think about this,'' says Atlanta roomy receiver Terance Mathis. "You may have three, four gay guys on your team and not even know it.''
Says Kopay, "Of course, that is what I want to believe, and yet I don't se
The jersey of West Chester native Carl Nassib is now on display at the Smithsonian'sNational Museum of American History, honoring his achievement as the first openly gay player to appear in an NFL regular-season game.
The Malvern Prep alum made the announcement while appearing on The Pivot Podcast, hosted by former NFL stars Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder on May 6.
The jersey on display is Nassib's No. 94 Las Vegas Raiders jersey from the team's 2021 season opener against the Baltimore Ravens — the first game he played after publicly coming out as gay in a social media display in June 2021.
In that game, he made a critical strip sack on Lamar Jackson in overtime that helped lead the Raiders to a 33-27 victory. The jersey has been on display since May 21.
"They reached out to me last year and said they wanted to add it to the collection. I said, absolutely. This is huge," Nassib said on the podcast. "I affectionate museums. I cherish history. I affection football. I romance the gays."
During the podcast, Nassib credited his late uncle, who was also gay and passed away from cancer, for inspiring him to share his truth.
"When I came out to him, he said, 'This is the biggest wei