LGBTQ+ football pioneer and famed Swiftie Carl Nassib is reprising his role of philanthropic king and the community is all the better for it.
Earlier this year, the Buccaneers linebacker pledged to match donations to The Trevor Project up to $100,000 — a donation goal recently achieved in full by a sizeable chunk of change from the NFL. Now, the player is going a (literal) step further for the queer advocacy nonprofit.
The annual “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative from the NFL prompts players to pick a charity cause to adorn their uniquely designed cleats. For the second year in a row, Nassib has chosen The Trevor Project to represent and donate to. This year’s design eschews the rainbow-laced 2021 design for an all-over Trevor Project orange.
Related: Out NFL player Carl Nassib just made another huge advancement for LGBTQ athletes
Of the ~1700 currently active NFL players, Nassib is the only one to pick an LGBTQ-specific charity this year.
Even as the league’s sole representative in this area, he’s making a huge difference. OutSports reports that The Trevor Project’s total revenue has blown up following his endorsement. The year before his coming out, they reported a $29 million total revenue. By the end of the fiscal year following his coming out, the organization saw $52 million.
Nassib’s philanthropy isn’t limited to this one non-profit — or even just to himself. He’s recently released an app, Rayze, designed to match users with nonprofits volunteer opportunities, and charitable causes near them in a quick and accessible way.
“It was half a mile from a team of millionaires, and a family of billionaires,” he recounted to People. “And nobody knew that these kids, 14 year olds who were given Dr. Seuss books, were right there. So I left that day, and I was, like, ‘There needs to be an app…’”
Related: Carl Nassib makes “hardcore” confession, but the clues have been hiding in plain sight
The Rayze team is currently hosting a series of volunteering events each weekend called “SatuRayze” aimed at getting folks involved in their communities on a local level.
“My vision is just getting people up out of their houses and involved,” Nassib said. “It’s just the most rewarding thing ever — being of service to other people. It gives you a sense of accomplishment, of self-worth, as opposed to looking at social media all day, which is just so crippling to your self-esteem and self-image.
“We’re combatting all those negatives of social media by getting people out of their houses and giving back. It’s fun!”
Discover more
Driven features stories and interviews highlighting the thrill of the queer journey, celebrating tenacious LGBTQers whose courage to be themselves fuels their drive to succeed.
Max
love!
bachy
People have been reporting that this guy is a Trump supporter. Is this true? Queerty?
nebskram
and do you believe those “people” who have been making this report or are you just making things up?
still_onthemark
It’s true but Queerty gives him a pass because of the Trevor Project. They hope he will eventually come around and be a sane gay person!
firstecho
Its true he is a registered Republican as of 2020z theres so specific evidence hes a “Trump Supporter”. He recently came out and in likely working things out. Given the work hes doing specifically for the gay community I think he deserves a but of grace unless further evidence proves otherwise.
Fahd
An active NFL player chooses Trevor Project as his charity cause. That is newsworthy! And a very worthy charity to boot.
abfab
I would love to touch his down!
CatholicXXX
I’m torn.
On one hand, Trevor project, on the other, trump supporter.
abfab
And you’re a catholic. Torn would be an understatemant.
Ronbo
Basta! Rumor has it that all Catholics, like you, are tRump supporters.(!?!) Rumors are rarely the truth, the full truth and noting but the truth. Manufactured misinformation is a weapon that our community no longer accepts – otherwise CatholicXXX (and every LGBTQ person) is a predator groomer.
Perception is NOT reality; It’s the shadow on the wall. The truth is reality. Please stop passing misinformation and weaponized words.
still_onthemark
@Ronbo: Carl Nassib is a registered Republican, that’s a fact. Indulge in wishful thinking all you want but don’t be surprised if he does or says something shocking or idiotic like they ALL do, eventually!
mattDq
Look for dick for the night right here on the site –> hot4.app
Jack
I’ll focus on the good things he’s doing with his platform. If he want’s to support a white supremacist, criminal, want-to-be dictator that will catch up with him soon enough. I don’t give a single crap about Carl personally, but I’ll take his money. Nothing more Trumpian than that.