Current:Home > MarketsCarl Nassib, the NFL's first openly gay player, announces his retirement -FutureFinance
Carl Nassib, the NFL's first openly gay player, announces his retirement
View
Date:2025-04-16 06:12:07
Defensive end Carl Nassib, the first openly gay NFL player to take part in a regular season game, has announced his retirement from pro football.
"It was always my dream to play in the NFL, even as a walk-on, and I really feel like the luckiest guy on the planet," Nassib wrote in a statement.
"To anyone who has a dream of being the best, never let anyone convince you it's impossible."
Nassib, 30, played seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, recording 25.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception.
However, he made history in the 2021 offseason when he announced in an Instagram video that he is gay.
PLAY TO WIN $10K: USA TODAY's Pro Football Survivor Pool is free to enter. Sign up now!
A standout in college at Penn State after joining the team as a freshman walk-on, Nassib led the NCAA in sacks and forced fumbles in 2015 on his way to being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. That led to him being selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Nassib played two seasons with the Browns before the first of his two stints with the Buccaneers. He joined the Raiders for the 2020 season and made his announcement in June of 2021.
In his first game after coming out, Nassib forced a key fumble in a Monday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens, knocking the ball loose from quarterback Lamar Jackson and setting up the Raiders' game-winning touchdown.
He returned to the Buccaneers last season, playing in 13 games and making one start.
However, he said it's now time to move on to the next phase of his life, working with the nonprofit company Rayze − which bills itself as a "mobile platform that uses positive social media" to encourage people to "give back in the form of volunteering and donations."
Nassib also says he'll be working with the NFL on diversity issues and philanthropic efforts going forward.
veryGood! (54921)
Related
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Chick-fil-A announces return of Peppermint Chip Milkshake and two new holiday coffees
- Democrats urge Biden to protect Palestinians in the U.S. from deportation amid Gaza war
- Nearly half of Democrats disapprove of Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas war, AP-NORC poll shows
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- No, Dior didn't replace Bella Hadid with an Israeli model over her comments on the Israel-Hamas war
- The man charged in last year’s attack against Nancy Pelosi’s husband goes to trial in San Francisco
- Are banks, post offices closed on Veterans Day? What about the day before? What to know
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Massachusetts is running out of shelter beds for families, including migrants from other states
Ranking
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Nashville officers on 'administrative assignment' after Covenant shooter's writings leak
- Analysts warn that Pakistan’s anti-migrant crackdown risks radicalizing deported Afghans
- Matt Ulrich's Wife Pens Heartbreaking Message After NFL Alum's Death
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Parks, schools shut in California after asbestos found in burned World War II-era blimp hangar
- MLB announcer Jason Benetti leaves White Sox to join division rival's broadcast team
- Sharon Stone alleges former Sony exec sexually harassed her: 'I became hysterical'
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Myanmar’s military chief says a major offensive by ethnic groups was funded by the drug trade
Nordstrom Rack's Clear the Rack Sale Is Here: Save up to 95% on Madewell, Kate Spade & More
FBI searching for Jan. 6 suspect Gregory Yetman in Middlesex County, New Jersey
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Are banks, post offices closed on Veterans Day? What about the day before? What to know
Sammy Hagar is selling his LaFerrari to the highest bidder: 'Most amazing car I’ve ever owned'
Zac Efron Shares Insight Into His Shocking Transformation in The Iron Claw