PITTSBURGH — It was big news late Monday afternoon when Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out as gay.
It was a terrific day in a lot of ways, but it also was a sad day for society in general and sports in particular because it was such a major story.
We’ll all be in a much better place when an athlete’s sexual orientation is no news at all.
Some of us are there already, I guess, based on the widespread reaction on social media to Nassib’s announcement.
“Who cares?”
“Why do I need to know this?”
“What am I supposed to do with this information?”
But Nassib’s dispatch served a valuable purpose. It is not an overstatement or an exaggeration to say that it will save lives. So will his donation of $100,000 to The Trevor Project, an organization focused on suicide prevention efforts in the LGBTQ+ community. There are more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth who consider suicide each year in the U.S.
Nassib wants those kids to feel as if they are not alone.
“I just think that representation and visibility are so important,” he said on Instagram.
Nassib’s coach at Penn State, James Franklin, was so moved by Nassib’s actions that he is donating $10,000 to The Trevor Project.
“I am very proud of Carl for his courage and voice,” Franklin wrote on Twitter. “His care and love for those around him, particularly those in need, has always been obvious.
“Carl’s brave announcement will forge a path for others to be true to their authentic self. I was proud of Carl when he led the nation in sacks, but I’m even more proud of him now.”
Nassib received similar positive reaction from all over the NFL, from Commissioner Roger Goodell to Raiders owner Mark Davis to union chief DeMaurice Smith to players in the league.
“Much respect brudda,” tweeted New York Giants star Saquon Barkley, a teammate of Nassib’s at Penn State.
“I learned a long time ago what makes a man different is what makes him great,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden texted ESPN.
Not all of Nassib’s Raiders teammates will be thrilled by his announcement. There are homophobic players on every team in every sport, just as there are racist white players who don’t like Black players and racist Black players who don’t like white players. It might be 2021, but that’s still the world we live in.
That’s what’s really sad.
But I’ve always believed there is less prejudice in a locker room than just about anywhere else in society. Players just want to win. They’ll overlook your skin color or your sexual preference or your religious beliefs as long as you can help them win. Wins mean championships. Wins mean fame. Wins mean bigger paydays.
Nassib, though not a star, can help the Raiders win. He was a third-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2016 and also spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He signed a three-year, $25 million deal as a free agent with the Raiders in 2020 with $16.75 million guaranteed. He had 2 1/2 sacks and an interception in 14 games last season and has 20 1/2 sacks in 73 career games.
I have no idea how the rest of Nassib’s career will go, but I know this for a fact:
No matter what Nassib does on a football field, he’ll always be remembered for his announcement Monday.
Am I the only one who finds that sad in a way?
Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt summed up my feelings perfectly.
“Good for you Carl,” he tweeted. “Glad you feel comfortable enough to share and hopefully someday these types of announcements will no longer be considered breaking news.”
