Carl Nassib shocked the world and simultaneously broke barriers when he came out as gay in 2021.
He became the NFL's first active gay player. Gay athletes have played in the NFL before, but none revealed their sexual orientation to the world while on an active roster.
Despite not being the first gay player in the NFL, Nassib is still a trailblazer. He hoped his announcement, which came on Instagram in 2021, would provide "representation and visibility," while hoping the "whole coming-out process is just not necessary."
Nassib also said he would donate $100,000 to the Trevor Project, which is a non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
His announcement was widely accepted, praised and celebrated among fellow NFL players, fans and the world outside of football. The NFL itself released a statement following Nassib's post, congratulating the defensive end.
"The NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today," the 2021 statement read. "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."
Nassib reflected on his coming-out a year later on "Good Morning America" with Michael Strahan, a former NFL player and current TV personality. The former Raiders edge rusher said he didn't want to be remembered just for being gay and was "agonized" over the decision.
"I stared at the phone for, like, an hour just looking at it, trying to hype myself up," he told Strahan via ABC News. "The last thing I said was like, 'You know what — for the kids.' And pressed post."
Nassib, who pinned himself as a "pretty private person" in his coming-out post, has been away from the major spotlight for some time now. The Sporting News details where he's been in recent years.
SN's NFL DRAFT HQ
Live picks tracker | 7-round mock draft | Top 250 big board
Is Carl Nassib still in the NFL?
Nassib is no longer in the NFL as he announced his retirement in September 2023. The veteran defensive end played seven seasons in the NFL before ending his career.
The Cleveland Browns drafted Nassib in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he played two seasons for the Browns before signing with the Buccaneers, Raiders and Buccaneers again to end his NFL tenure.
Where is Carl Nassib today?
Nassib has shifted his focus into his company Rayze, which he started developing while volunteering with the Buccaneers.
Rayze is a social media platform designed to "shine a light on opportunities that need volunteers, while making nonprofit engagement, volunteer recruitment, and donating as simple and intuitive as possible."
Nassib began this venture after visiting a juvenile detention center in Tampa Bay, just a one mile away from the Buccaneers' practice facility. Despite being so close, Nassib noticed how difficult it was to discover this volunteering opportunity was, which sparked his desire to build Rayze.
The app allows nonprofits and volunteers to connect and allows people to donate directly to those organizations.
Nassib is still working with Rayze in 2024, continuing the company's growth. He was a speaker at "A Night of Pride" with GLAAD and NFL prior to Super Bowl LVIII.
He's also on the active ballot for Penn State's Board of Trustees. Nassib played three seasons on the Penn State football team.
MORE NFL DRAFT: Winners and losers from Round 1 selections
Why is Carl Nassib announcing an NFL Draft pick?
Nassib and the Trevor Project CEO and founder Peggy Rajski will be announcing a Cleveland Browns draft pick during the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Browns drafted Nassib in 2016, and he played two seasons for the franchise. His company, Rayze, works to provide nonprofits, like the Trevor Project, with volunteers and donators.
Nassib is listed to announce the 54th and 85th overall selections for the Browns — both of which will occur Friday, April 26.
