Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib took a courageous step Monday. He became the first active NFL player to come out as gay, and, for the most part, the announcement was met with rousing support and respect. It was a monumental moment for the league and, hopefully, a sign of growth.
“I actually hope that one day videos like this and the whole coming out process are just not necessary,” Nassib said in his announcement. The league has a ways to go before getting to that point, but the reaction to Nassib’s announcement was a far cry from what we saw in 2014 when Michael Sam came out months before the NFL Draft, which fueled the awful take machine for months.
Sam’s NFL career never got off the ground — him being openly gay almost certainly played a role in that — and he was not able to appear in a regular-season game, preventing him from becoming the first active openly gay player in league history, but his courage helped to pave the way for Nassib.
On Tuesday morning, a gracious Sam took to Twitter to congratulate Nassib on coming out…
Carl Nassib thank you for owning your truth and especially your donation to the @TrevorProject. LBGTQ people are more likely to commit suicide than heterosexuals. I hope and pray people will take note to this. Thank you again Carl and look forward to seeing you play on the field.
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSam52) June 22, 2021
To anyone young or old, black or white, straight or gay are being bullied by others please know this, I stand with you in your time of need and in your hour of triumph, I am your friend and your brother. Even though I may never see you, hug you, or even kiss you, I love you đź’ś
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSam52) June 22, 2021
Sam, the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, dropped to the sixth round in the 2014 NFL Draft after getting Day 2 buzz before he came out. And after a good showing in preseason with the Rams and a brief stint on the Cowboys practice squad, Sam was out of the league. His margin for error was so thin and might help to explain why players, especially those fighting for a roster spot, are so hesitant to come out.
Hopefully, the league has evolved over the last seven years and Nassib, a quality role player at an important position, can continue his career without having to deal with the obstacles Sam faced for reasons that had nothing to do with his ability to play football.
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