History boy - Carl Nassib became the first ever active out gay NFL player
Beat the bulge - Carl flaunts his many assets on the pitch
History was made this week as the Carl Nassib became the first player to ever come out as gay whilst playing for the NFL. The 28-year-old defensive end is the league's first active player (ie he's not retired) in the game's century-old history.
Nassib made the announcement in a video on his social media channels, also saying that he would be donating $100k to the Trevor Project which helps LGBTQ+ people in peril in America.
Nassib shouting his truth from the roof tops!
Butter wouldn't melt. Fellow NFL stars have been supportive.
In our series of Box Profiles, we've covered a variety of different NFL players but no-one quite like Nassib. Football stars we've profiled have been jumping to congratulate the player with JJ Watt and Julian Edelman welcoming his decision.
As part of his statement, Carl said “Representation matters. 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. We wish Carl the best of luck this coming season.”
No YOU'RE number 1 Carl. Suddenly he's the most famous player in the world...
'What's that sound?' Why it's the kerching of some lucrative partnership deals!
Hailing from Pennsylvania, at 6ft 7, no-one's going to be messing with Carl anytime soon. Not only has he received support and praise from his fellow sportsmen but also from his team the Las Vega Raiders. In a true sign of the times that things are changing, the NFL itself tweeted their support for Nassib.
Nassib has the looks as well as the talent making him suddenly the most in demand bachelor on the planet!
Dressing down - we can work out if he's super broad of has his pads on, or maybe just those mens white socks?
Nassib has garnered plaudits not only for his donation but for his words as well, saying: “I’m a pretty private person so I hope you guys know that I’m really not doing this for attention. I just think that representation and visibility are so important. I actually hope that like one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are not necessary, but until then I am gonna do my best and do my part to cultivate a culture that’s accepting that’s compassionate.”
GWAAAOORR - we're not even gonna say what that face looks like.
Well you know what they say about tall guys, big shoes!
It takes a brave man to be the first to come out in a sport that is known for its machismo, especially at a time when tensions are running high in the USA when it comes to LGBTQ+ matters. Hopefully other players in other sports around the world will see this and gain even just a bit of strength from it.