It looks like Carl Nassib’s time on the Raiders is coming to a close.
The Las Vegas football franchisee is releasing the out, defensive end, according to EPSN reporter Adam Schefter:
Raiders are releasing DE Carl Nassib, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2022
Nassib had one season left on his three-year, $25 million deal.
In June 2021, Nassib made national headlines when he came out as gay in an Instagram video post.
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“I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay,” he said. “I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable getting it off my chest. I really have the best life, I have the best family, friends and job a guy can ask for.”
He noted, “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 one day, videos like this and the whole coming out process are just not necessary, but until then I will do my best and my part to cultivate a culture that’s accepting and compassionate.” Nassib also announced a $100,000 donation to The Trevor Project to mark the occasion.
In a connected written statement, he added, “Right now, I am sitting in a moment of gratitude and relief. Sadly, I have agonized over this moment for the last 15 years. Only until recently, thanks to my family and friends… did it seem possible for me to say publicly and proudly that I’m gay.
“I stand on the shoulders of giants, incredible people who paved the way for me to have this opportunity. I do not know all the history behind our courageous LGBTQ community, but I am eager to learn and to help continue the fight for equality and acceptance.”
“The NFL family is proud of Carl for courageously sharing his truth today,” commissioner Roger Goodell said afterwards. “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.”
Later that year, Nassib took personal time away from the team after former Raiders coach Jon Gruden’s emails leaked. In the emails, Gruden made derogatory remarks about Michael Sam, the first openly gay player to enter the NFL Draft. Gruden also used homophobic slurs in reference to Goodell. He resigned shortly after.
Nassib is free to sign with any team.
Fahd
The Raiders are so down market anyway; he’ll wind up in a better place. In any case, he’ll continue as a role model (recall his Trevor Project donation).
Prax07
25 million…he can retire and never have to work again.
lbcandide
After taxes, his agent fees, etc., it’s not that much. He’s young and has a lot more he can earn.
IanHunter
He has enough money to definitely be a free agent and go to a better team. Raiders aren’t really the team that many root for.
[email protected]
He’s a good player. He’ll be picked up somewhere…maybe even Miami
Alex_S
Oh well… Looks like another career of an openly gay NFL player will come to an end soon.
Manray
I am wondering the same….they congratulate you, then cut out and set.you adrift.
We’ll see. Nassib is a Trumper, which is depressing.
Andrealena
I hope he continues to play. BUT with a league that turns a blind eye to domestic violence AND sexual assault, the overall male toxicity may take years to dissapate if at all. We’re still waiting to see if the oft-flung gay slurs by management and others in multiple franchises will ever be addressed. As musch as the country is beset by HOMOMISIA – HATRED of gays (and every other ‘letter’), it really is an example of deep seeded homoPHOBIA, since they ARE afraid of anything not male ‘enough.’
bakeembakeem
A real giant of a man, my HERO
bakeembakeem
The Trevor Project IS “Amazing Grace” and needs all the generous donations it can get
RyanMBecker
Goodell’s statement was watershed for me. He could’ve stayed silent and he could’ve made a generic “we accept everyone” statement. Instead, he made a plea for equality which left no ambiguity on where he and the NFL stood. Times are a-changin’…
Inspector 57
Yeah. We’re still not where we should be, but every chink we make in the culture is another step toward getting there. Goodell’s statement was risky and helpful. Thanks to him for adding a chink in this part of our culture.
Michael1500
When Nassib came out, I told my brother he wouldn’t last long with the Raiders. The NFL trumpets “goodwill” and support and all that, but I just knew Nassib was a marked man. I may be wrong, but that’s what I thought. I WAS partially wrong, though—— he lasted an even shorter time than I envisioned. He’s proved himself to be a much bigger person than he ever could as a pro football player, however. He is still a pioneer in the gay movement by coming out while an active pro football player, and he didn’t just sit on his butt after his announcement. He donated a large sum to the Trevor Project, and spear-headed the drive for other NFL players to do so. He’s not only a credit to the gay community, but to Americans and just plain good people in this vale of tears.
Essie
I’m not surprised. The Raiders talked a good game about Nassib being gay but they are a bunch of nasty, hateful people who only want violent men on their team. Nassib didn’t fit in no matter what the higher ups said. Hopefully, he will land with a team who deserves his talent. I won’t hold my breath but, stranger things have happened.
rois4richo
What did his sexuality have to do with his playing the game? Nothing! There’s more where he came from. I wish him well.
Barefootboyz
Good he was a Trump supporter and a coward
JPB
Let me rephrase that you barefoot – He’s a good player and trump is a coward.
ponyboy62
COME TO DENVER!!!!! ID love to see CARL play as a bronco!!!! Id buy that jersey for sure!
Dawson
I am a HUGE Nassib fan but this is a business and Carl was injured twice and had Covic and needed time off for the Gruden fiasco during the season. Cosby is the star of the team and they signed him to a 4 year almost $100,000,000 contract. They just made a trade for the edge position and no matter how GREAT his story is he has to and needs to produce in the cutthroat league of the NFL. He is also not the fastest defensive back but he plays with great heart. He is young but the NFL draft is next month and that says a lot about the future for many teams and what position they draft. Also there are salary cap issues when he is still under contract. Hopefully he will play for the 49ers.
Dawson
Lastly, I would believe there are other gay players on the teams that haven’t publically come out but are known to be in the clubhouse. Like many businesses and professions, people often know people who are gay who are on the team or where they work. Carl was just the brave one who put a face to the community. For that, we should all be proud of him. He also did it with CLASS!
dhmonarch89
there’s no guarantee another team will pick him up- we’ll see.
DCFarmboy
Mmmmmmm…. I love me some nice Catholic boy.
jt1990
This guy would be an excellent advantage for almost any team. I can’t imagine the terror of an opposing QB being chased by a 6’7 and 250 lbs homosexual! All the more reason to avoid the tackle.
If nothing else, Carl can sue his former team for discrimination, since he publicly announced his gayness prior to being released.