Carl Nassib was the first active player to make his homosexuality public. The courageous step was very popular and could herald an overdue rethink.
Wien. Carl Nassib’s cell phone video, taken in the back garden of his Pennsylvania home, could become as significant to the National Football League in the long term as its 55 Super Bowl champions. The message announced via Instagram was as brief as it was important: “What is it guys, I just wanted to take a moment and say that I’m gay.” He wrestled with himself for 15 years, now the 28-year-old has left the Las Vegas Raiders publicly known about homosexuality as the first active NFL professional.
With his coming-out, Nassib is setting an important example in the strongest football league in the world, which for a long time has been hesitant to approach the issue of homosexuality due to misconceived masculinity. David Kopay had already gone public as a gay player in 1975, but like others in the following years only after the end of his career. In 2014 Michael Sam finally made his homosexuality public and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. But the defensive end did not make it to an NFL mission either with the Rams or afterwards with Dallas Cowboys.
Nassib, on the other hand, is a seasoned NFL professional (73 appearances). “I have the best family, best friends, and the best job a guy could ask for,” he says in the minute-long video. The Penn State graduate (2.01 m, 124 kg) was awarded the Lombardi Trophy and is going into his second season with the Raiders after NFL engagements with the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He’s not interested in attention, the 28-year-old explains: “I just think that representation and visibility are so important.” One day, he hopes, videos like his will no longer be needed. “But until then, I’ll do my best to establish a culture of acceptance and compassion.” Nassib himself will donate $ 100,000 to the Trevor Project, a telephone counseling service for young LGBTQ people.
The positive response was enormous. “The NFL family is proud of Carl for sharing his truth so courageously today,” said NFL boss Roger Goodell in a statement. The club and colleagues gave Nassib their support, as did other athletes. Tennis icon Billie Jean King tweeted: “The prospect of an authentic life is so important.” Nassib himself is looking forward to an “exciting time” and gave media inquiries a preventive rejection. He has taken the brave step, now his words should work.
(swi)
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