In the wake of becoming the first active NFL player to come out as gay, Carl Nassib has the top-selling NFL jersey across the Fanatics network both Monday and Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Nassib, a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, made the announcement in a video posted to Instagram on Monday.
“What’s up people,” Nassib said. “I’m at my house in West Chester, Pennsylvania. 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 finally feel comfortable getting it off my chest. I really have the best life, the best family, friends and job a guy can ask for.
“I’m a pretty private person so I hope you guys know that I’m not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important. I actually hope that one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are not necessary, but until then I will do my best and my part to cultivate a culture that’s accepting.”
Nassib also announced that he will make a $100,000 donation to the Trevor Project, the foremost nonprofit suicide-prevention service for LGBTQ youth in the United States.
Nassib, 28, signed a three-year, $25 million deal with the Raiders entering the 2020 season. He has appeared in 73 games across five NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Raiders, drawing 37 starts and notching 20.5 sacks.
Nassib received support from a host of both current and former NFL players, along with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Raiders head coach Jon Gruden.
“Right now, I am in a moment of gratitude and relief,” Nassib wrote in a message posted with the video. “Sadly, I have agonized over this moment for the last 15 years. Only until recently, thanks to my family and friends, especially Connor, Cason and Francis, did it seem possible for me to say publicly and proudly that I’m gay. I am also incredibly thankful for the NFL, my coaches, and fellow players for their support. I would not have been able to do this without them. From the jump, I was greeted with the utmost respect and acceptance.
“I truly love my life and cannot understand why I have been blessed with so much. I feel especially thankful to have had so much support when many who came before — and many even now — do not. I stand on the shoulders of giants, incredible people who have paved the way for me to have this opportunity.”