On Tuesday, April 6th, 2021, the NFL witnessed history when defensive end Carl Nassib announced his retirement from the league. Nassib, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2016, is the first openly gay player to play in NFL games.
Nassib, who was born and raised in Pennsylvania, was a standout defensive end at Penn State University. After going undrafted in 2015, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2016. He played for the Browns for two seasons before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2018. He then signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020.
Throughout his NFL career, Nassib has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2019, he became the first active NFL player to publicly come out as gay. In an interview with ESPN, he said “I want to be a role model for other LGBTQ+ athletes who are still in the closet and show them that it’s okay to be yourself.”
Nassib’s retirement marks a major milestone for the NFL and its players. His courage and willingness to be open about his sexuality has helped pave the way for other LGBTQ+ athletes to feel comfortable being themselves in the league.
Nassib’s legacy will live on in the NFL and beyond. He has shown that it is possible to be successful in the NFL while also being open about who you are. He is an inspiration to many and a reminder that everyone deserves to be accepted and celebrated for who they are.
