did it seem possible for me to say publicly and proudly that I’m gay,” he continued. “Only recently, thanks to my family and friends. Sadly, I have agonized over this moment for the last 15 years.” In a statement accompanying the video, the defensive lineman went into greater detail about his decision to come out, writing, “Right now I am sitting in a moment of gratitude and relief. We wish Carl the best of luck this coming season.” “We share his hope that someday soon statements like his will no longer be newsworthy as we march toward full equality for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Representation matters,” he said in a statement. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the player “for courageously sharing his truth today.”
A half-dozen other players have come out as gay after retirement, but Nassib is the first to do so while playing.
