The NFL’s first active openly gay player, talks to the media for the first time since coming out
Carl Nassib is getting more comfortable on the football field every day as he adjusts to life as the NFL’s first openly gay active player.
“Today, I feel better,” Nassib said on Friday morning in his first session with media members since his June announcement that he is gay.
“(At the beginning of training camp), being the only out player, my body felt like jello. I was very anxious. I just wanted to get this over with and feel better today than I did yesterday and the day before and I will feel better tomorrow. I’m just looking forward to the future.”
Nassib disclosed Friday that he has been out to his family and friends for years. However, the 28 year old spent his first five NFL seasons — including 2020, his first as a Raider — not sharing with his coaches, teammates and the public that he is gay. He said his decision to come out publicly has been relieving.
“It was definitely stressful growing up being in the closet, it’s definitely a weight lifted off of me,” a calm. confident Nassib said. “It’s been good not to lie at work.”
It was clear Nassib was ready to get the media part of his decision out of the way and continue to work on his role as a rotational pass rusher with the Raiders. Nassib has been impressive during this entire process and Friday was no different.